§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the dangers of anti-personnel land mines for implementation force troops in Bosnia; and if he will make a statement. [12274]
§ Mr. SoamesIFOR estimates that up to 5 million land mines, including anti-personnel mines, may have been laid in Bosnia. Under the terms of the peace agreement, the clearance of mines and related devices is the responsibility of the consenting parties themselves. IFOR's role is limited to monitoring and co-ordinating this programme, except where there is a serious threat to life or where clearance is necessary to allow IFOR to complete assigned tasks. In a tragic incident on 28 January, three British service men were killed when their armoured vehicle triggered a mine while on patrol.