§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the time it will take to clear the 11,500 Argentinian mines round Port Stanley; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Blaker:The work of clearing mines laid by the Argentinian forces in the Falkland Islands is by no means straightforward. The Argentine forces did not mark, or properly record, all the areas they mined and the minefields so far located contain unexploded ordnance as well as a variety of mines, some of which are very difficult to detect. It is therefore difficult to predict how long the task will take. The Royal Engineers are in the first instance concentrating on identifying and marking minefields in the vicinity of settlements. Mine clearance operations have been undertaken only where they are needed to meet the most urgent needs of the civilian population and the garrison.
A major programme of work is in hand with the aim of adapting and improving current equipment and techniques for detecting and clearing mines. We hope this will enable us to find safer and more effective means of clearing large areas. We are grateful to the many members of the public who have put forward ideas. Meanwhile, the task of making the islands safe, by such means as fencing hazardous areas and providing maps, will continue. Substantial numbers of Royal Engineers will be deployed 50W to the Falklands during the islands' summer months and will undertake mine clearance tasks as well as engineering, construction and repair work.