Mines (Hansard, 22 November 1995)

§ Mr. Flynn
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's rationale underlying the procurement of the future anti-personnel scatterable mine; [1072]
(2) what is his Department's policy for replacing the Ranger scatterable anti-personnel mine system; [1071]
(3) what progress has been made on the future anti-personnel scatterable mine system; and when it is intended to replace the Ranger system. [1073]

§ Mr. Arbuthnot
I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) on 19 October 1995,Official Report, column 352.

§ Mr. Flynn
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence from which supplier his Department has decided to procure the vehicle-launched scatterable mine system. [1078]

§ Mr. Arbuthnot
A final decision has yet to be taken.

§ Mr. Flynn
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the current progress of the "mines in the new century" programme; [1070]
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(2) what is the entry into service date for the Barmine replacement. [1075]

§ Mr. Arbuthnot
Current plans are to introduce a pattern anti-tank mine system—"mines in the new century"—that will replace the Barmine system in the first decade of the next century. However, we are currently considering our future requirements for this nature of weapon and no firm decisions have been taken. Any new mines introduced into service would have a self-neutralising or self-destruct capability and would fully meet the requirements of the international laws of armed conflict.

§ Mr. Flynn
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department intends to order the aimed controlled effect anti-tank mine. [1077]

§ Mr. Arbuthnot
We are currently engaged in a development programme with France and Germany for the aimed controlled effect anti-tank mine. A decision concerning a production order will be made at the end of this phase and in the light of our continuing review of requirements for anti-tank mines.

§ Mr. Flynn
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the British armed forces last deployed anti-personnel mines in a tactical role; if this minefield was marked; when was it neutralised; and by whom. [1069]

§ Mr. Soames
It is not our practice to comment on the operational deployment of mines. The armed forces use all mines responsibly and in accordance with the laws of armed conflict to minimise the danger both to civilians and our own forces. In particular, all minefields are recorded and they are marked when appropriate. Wherever practicable, the UK armed forces have cleared mines which they have laid, once they were no longer needed.