HC Deb 23 July 1997 vol 298 cc627-8W
22. Miss Kirkbride

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support her Department is giving to demining organisations. [8379]

23. Mr. Robathan

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support her Department gives to organisations clearing mines. [8380]

Clare Short

The UK has committed over £31 million—including our share of European Community programmes—to humanitarian mine clearance activities since 1991.

Our current projects focus on the needs of vulnerable communities in the poorest and most severely affected countries. Resources are channelled through specialised non-governmental organisations and UN agencies. We are supporting efforts to speed up detection and clearance through improved technology but maintaining the high standards of reliability and safety required for humanitarian demining.

We also support capacity building for national and community-based demining activities to increase levels of participation in affected countries.