Landmines (Hansard, 5 May 1999)

§ Ann Clwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of each type of anti-personnel mine are presently held by(a) the Royal Air Force, (b) the Royal Navy and (c) UK Special Forces. [81995]

§ Mr. George Robertson
The Royal Air Force's stock of 209,625 HB876 bomblets (as at 1 April 1999), the sub-munition for the JP233 runway denial weapon, is being withdrawn from service to comply with the Ottawa Convention and destroyed by a contractor in Germany. Destruction will be completed by 1 January 2000, well ahead of the schedule stipulated under Ottawa of the four years after entry into force of the Convention. No anti-personnel mines are held by either the Royal Navy or UK Special Forces.
373W

§ Ann Clwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) anti-personnel landmines, (b) weapons containing anti-personnel landmines and (c) weapons containing anti-vehicle mines equipped with anti-handling devices have been developed by NATO forces carrying out operations in Kosovo. [81993]

§ Mr. George Robertson
Providing details of those weapon systems being developed by other NATO forces currently carrying out operations in Kosovo is a matter for those nations concerned. The Ottawa Convention, and the Landmines Act 1998, prohibit the UK from developing, stockpiling, using or transferring either(a) anti-personnel mines, or (b) weapons containing anti-personnel mines. The RAF's stocks of the JP233 Runway Denial Weapon—which is prohibited under the Ottawa Convention—have been withdrawn from service and will be destroyed by 1 January 2000, well ahead of the schedule stipulated under the Ottawa Convention. In the case of (c), the UK's equipment programme (including those weapons in service; being developed in collaboration with other NATO countries; or awaiting procurement decisions) currently contains the following anti-vehicle systems. They are all required to be compliant with the definitions and provisions of the Ottawa Convention and the Landmines Act 1998:
In-service Barmine: An Anti-Tank mine. No anti-handling device is fitted to this weapon, but disturbance of the mine may, in some circumstances cause it to detonate. Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) Phase 2: A long-range rocket, deploying anti-vehicle mines. Developed by Germany and procured in co-operation with France, Germany and Italy. The anti-handling device fitted to this weapon would cause detonation after deliberate and sustained movement of the mine.
Under Development Aimed controlled effect anti-tank mine (ACEATM): A manually deployed anti-tank weapon. Being developed in collaboration with France and Germany. A non-lethal anti-handling device would switch the weapon off if disturbed.
Future Systems Area Defence Weapon: A manually deployed anti-vehicle weapon. No contract has yet been awarded. A non-lethal anti-handling device would switch the weapon off if disturbed. Shielder: A vehicle-launched scatterable mine system employing anti-tank mines. No anti-handling device is fitted to this weapon, but disturbance of the mine may, in some circumstances cause it to detonate.