§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to acquire Italian anti-personnel mines which(a) self-destruct and (b) self-deactivate. [27544]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotAs my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs stated in his announcement on 23 April 1996,Official Report, column 84, the UK will work actively towards a total world-wide ban on anti-personnel mines. If we need to replace our remaining anti-personnel mines before an international ban is agreed, we will procure only those with a self-destruct capability. No final decisions on the procurement of these mines, including a source, have been taken and any decision will take account of all relevant factors, including progress towards a total worldwide ban.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 23 April,Official Report, column 84, what plans he has to ensure that future British self-destruct anti-personnel mines will be used only in marked, fenced or monitored areas, will be cleared as soon as feasible and will be used strictly in accordance with the laws of armed conflict. [27322]
§ Mr. Arbuthnot[holding answer 30 April 1996]: Instructions have been issued that current non-self-destruct anti-personnel mines must be placed in 550W a marked or fenced or monitored area and that every effort must be made to avoid civilian casualties. No decision has been made on procurement or deployment of self-destruct anti-personnel mines, but instructions will be issued to ensure that use will be in accordance with the international laws of war.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 23 April,Official Report, column 84, if the new restriction that British non-self-destruct anti-personnel mines will be used only in exceptional circumstances will apply equally to future self-destruct anti-personnel mines deployed by British forces. [27321]
§ Mr. Arbuthnot[holding answer 30 April 1996]: No decision has been taken on the procurement or use of self-destruct anti-personnel mines.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 23 April,Official Report, column 84, what assessment has been made of whether the military utility of Britain's anti-personnel mines is affected by whether such weapons are also deployed by an adversary. [27325]
§ Mr. Arbuthnot[holding answer 30 April 1996]: We believe that, in exceptional circumstances, where there are no alternatives available, it may be necessary for British forces to use anti-personnel mines in order to ensure that they are properly protected. Such circumstances may obtain whether or not such weapons are deployed by an adversary.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 23 April,Official Report, column 84, which makes of anti-personnel mines will be destroyed; and which makes will be destroyed completely. [27317]
§ Mr. Arbuthnot[holding answer 30 April 1996]: No final decision has been made on which types of anti-personnel mines will be destroyed. However, a number of Ranger and Elsie mines will probably be destroyed.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 23 April,Official Report, column 84, when he expects to reach a decision on the replacement of existing non-self-destructing anti-personnel mines with self-destructing ones; and when is the planned in service date. [27318]
§ Mr. Arbuthnot[holding answer 30 April 1996]: We are currently considering our future requirement for anti-personnel land mines, but have reached no decisions. Any new mines introduced into service would have a self-destruct capability and would fully meet the requirements of international laws of armed conflict. Such a decision will take account of all relevant factors, including progress towards an international ban and whether a suitable alternative is found.
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he(a) has had and (b) plans to have with the US Department of Defense concerning the review of US policy on anti-personnel mines; and if he will make a statement. [27549]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotWe keep in close touch with the US and other allies on this issue.
551W
§ Mr. CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if in the formulation of military policy regarding the use of anti-personnel mines he will take account of the recent statements by General John Shalikashvili and General Norman Schwarzkopf. [27548]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotWe have noted the open letter to President Clinton, signed by General Schwarzkopf and others, about anti-personnel mines; and the views on these weapons attributed to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Shalikashvili. Our policy on anti-personnel mines reflects our national judgment of the balance to be struck between humanitarian goals and the continuing needs of our armed forces until there is international agreement on a total ban on such mines, or viable alternatives are developed.
§ Mr. CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department is engaged in regarding the upgrading of the Ranger land mine delivery system; which United Kingdom companies are involved in these discussions; and what plans he has for part of the work connected with the upgrading to be carried out in Britain. [27546]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotNo decision has been taken to upgrade the Ranger land mine delivery system. If we need to replace our remaining anti-personnel mines, upgrading the Ranger system is one option which would be considered. The manufacturer of this system is aware of this. As no decisions have been taken, potential work to be undertaken in Britain cannot be determined. Any new or upgraded land mines would have a self-destruct capability. Final decisions on future procurement would take account of all relevant factors, including progress towards a total world-wide ban.
§ Mr. CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the recent report of the International Committee of the Red Cross regarding anti-personnel mines. [27547]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotWe have noted this report, but do not share its conclusions.
§ Mr. CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what military criteria will determine the use by British forces of anti-personnel mines. [27545]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotMinisters must be satisfied that the use of anti-personnel mines is essential to ensure that British troops are properly protected and that there are no practicable alternative ways of achieving that end.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 23 April,Official Report, column 84, how many anti-personnel mines will be destroyed as a result of his announcement on 23 April. [27319]
§ Mr. Arbuthnot[holding answer 30 April 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) on 29 April 1996, Official Report, column 394.