§ Mr. HopeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what responsibility his Department has in respect of the Landmines Act 1998. [122344]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeFollowing discussions between the Departments concerned, the reply given by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of State, Home Office, (Mr. Boateng), on 20 May 1999,Official Report, column 443W, requires expansion. The Home Secretary has general ministerial responsibility for enforcement action under the Landmines Act 1998 taken by the police in England and Wales, with parallel responsibilities being 515W exercised in Northern Ireland by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and in Scotland by the Scottish Ministers. Her Majesty's Customs and Excise also have enforcement responsibilities under the Act. In addition, the Foreign Secretary has responsibility for policy on the Ottawa Convention and for co-ordinating any amendments to the Landmines Act which may arise from amendments to the Ottawa Convention. Action may be taken under other provisions of the Act by the Secretaries of State for the Department for International Development, the Ministry of Defence, the Department for Trade and Industry, the Attorney-General and the Attorney-General for Northern Ireland.