Inhumane Weapons (Hansard, 19 January 1995)

§ Dr. David Clark
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the inhumane weapons convention to be ratified.

§ Mr. Soames
We expect to ratify the UN weaponry convention by the end of February 1995, and in time to participate as a full state party in the forthcoming review conference.

§ Dr. David Clark
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to support an amendment to692W the inhumane weapons convention to prohibit the military use of lasers to blind combatants on the battlefield.

§ Mr. Soames
The United Kingdom is looking positively at proposals to add to the UN weaponry convention a new protocol covering the use of lasers to blind.

§ Dr. David Clark
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy in respect of the inhumane weapons review conference in September; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Soames
The United Kingdom is working positively towards strengthening the UN weaponry convention at the forthcoming review conference.

§ Dr. David Clark
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the British armed forces possess lasers designed to blind combatants; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Freeman
The United Kingdom armed forces do not possess and currently have no plans to develop or procure any laser weapon designed permanently to blind enemy troops or to disrupt their eyesight temporarily. We are, however, researching the technology associated with laser weapons in order to develop effective defences against such weapons should they be deployed against our armed forces.

§ Dr. David Clark
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Britain has(a) considered and (b) tested lasers designed to blind combatants.

§ Mr. Freeman
The United Kingdom maintains an interest in all developments in laser technologies, including those related to laser weapons. A major objective of the Department's laser research programme is to understand the nature of the threat which might be posed by the deployment and use of laser weapons against UK forces and, if necessary, to develop appropriate protective countermeasures. The UK has no plans to develop or test a laser weapon designed permanently to blind human targets. The feasibility of making use of temporary dazzle effects was investigated in 1983 and tests on one system were conducted which were subsequently discontinued.