§ Mr. AlexanderTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the response of the UK armed forces to the Ottawa Treaty. [110498]
§ Mr. HoonThe response of the UK armed forces to the Ottawa Convention has been exemplary. On 19 October last year, the Government announced the complete destruction of all the UK's operational stocks of Anti-Personnel Landmines (APLs), some three years ahead of the requirements set out in the Ottawa Convention. On 27 August last year, the UK submitted its first report to the UN Secretary General on compliance measures under the Ottawa Convention. A copy of the Report was placed in the Library of the House.
Following the Landmines Act 1998, there are now no circumstances under which British service personnel can participate in the laying of anti-personnel mines.
Also, to support world-wide clearance of mines and the overall aims of the Ottawa Convention the Ministry of Defence provides whatever assistance it can to those 731W non-governmental organisations and mine action centres engaged in the removal of APLs that remain in the ground around the world. This can take the form of training in demining techniques, assistance in the development of new equipment, attachment of individuals, or the gifting of surplus military vehicles to assist in their demining activities.