HC Deb 24 June 1996 vol 280 cc24-5W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his European Union counterparts in respect of formulating a joint policy on banning the sale of land mines; and if he will make a statement. [333906]

Mr. David Davis

The EU has had a common moratorium on the export of certain kinds of anti-personnel mines and to certain destinations since May 1995, when it adopted a joint action on anti-personnel mines. That joint action is currently under review.

Since 22 April 1996, the UK's national export moratorium prohibits the export of all anti-personnel mines to all countries. We hope that all EU member states will adopt an equally wide-ranging moratorium.