HC Deb 10 January 1995 vol 252 cc109-10W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether German manufactured anti-personnel mines have been transferred or re-exported to UNITA forces in Angola in the last decade

Mr. Freeman

We have no information to indicate that UNITA has acquired any German-manufactured anti-personnel landmines.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the possibility of modifying the German AT2 anti-tank mine so as to deploy it as a de facto and anti-personnel mine.

Mr. Freeman

Such a modification is not considered practical, and no formal assessment has been made of the possibility.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many German AT2 anti-tank mines are in use with the United Kingdom armed forces; and in what role.

Mr. Freeman

There are no German AT2 anti-tank mines currently in service with United Kingdom forces although they are being supplied as part of the multiple-launch rocket system, phase II. It is our established policy for security reasons not to reveal quantities of munitions held. The role of the system is the rapid deployment of minefields.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many mines are currently available for deployment with(a) multiple-launch rocket systems and (b) the Skorpion mine-laying system.

Mr. Freeman

Although the multiple-launch rocket system phase II, which incorporates anti-tank mines, is in production, none is currently in service. It is our established policy, for security reasons, not to reveal quantities of munitions held.

The Skorpion mine-laying system is not currently in service with United Kingdom forces.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the United Kingdom has exported or transferred to any other country German manufactured anti-personnel mines in the last 10 years.

Mr. Freeman

None.