§ Baroness Rawlingsasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they consider that the effectiveness of cluster bombs outweighs the damage that they do to civilian populations. [HL4268]
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)During operations against the military forces in Kosovo engaged in ethnic cleansing, where targets were often spread out and where poor weather hampered the use of laser guided weapons, it was appropriate to use cluster bombs. The avoidance of both immediate and longer-term collateral damage is always a high priority. We seek to minimise collateral damage through careful consideration of the nature and 83WA location of the target, selection of appropriate tactics and weapons, the skill of aircrew and, where necessary, the post-conflict clearance of unexploded ordnance. We very much regret any accidents that might occur involving innocent civilian populations.