§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what he is doing to combat the(a) production and (b) export of land mines worldwide. [136477]
§ Mr. RammellThe Government considers universalisation of the Ottawa Convention to be the best means of combating the production, use, stockpiling or transfer of anti-personnel land mines. The United Kingdom was among the first states to ratify the Convention and continues to play a leading role in follow-up work, including encouraging the widest possible adherence to the treaty. Through our diplomatic missions overseas we have recently lobbied states not party to the Convention, urging their ratification or accession at the earliest opportunity.