§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the dangers to civilians created by the placement of anti-personnel mines that have (i) self-destructing mechanisms, and (ii) self-neutralising mechanisms and (iii) that do not have self-destructing or self-neutralising mechanisms; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyAnti-personnel mines are inherently dangerous to civilians. However, they are legitimate defensive military weapons if used properly and in accordance with the laws of war, as our armed forces are trained to do. The extra controls provided by self-destructing or self-neutralising mechanisms help to ensure that mines with such capabilities are likely to be less dangerous to civilians than those without them.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what effect the recent UN resolution calling for a426W moratorium on the export of anti-personnel land mines has had on the policies of his Department; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyThe resolution has had no direct effect, since the United Kingdom has not produced or exported conventional anti-personnel land mines in the category covered by the resolution for over a decade.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect of the recent UN resolution calling for a moratorium on the export of anti-personnel land mines on the need for de-mining operations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AitkenThe UN resolution has no direct effect on the need for de-mining operations.