§ Lord Joplingasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they will make funds available to the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency to develop a portable humanitarian mine detector. [HL1221]
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency has considerable expertise in mine detection. We are investigating options for funding research and development of a low cost portable humanitarian mine detector, including the possibility of funding from the central Capital Modernisation Fund, as part of our drive to exploit the use of defence resources for wider public benefit. We expect to make a decision shortly.