HC Deb 17 May 2000 vol 350 c163W
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many joint operations which took place outside the UK in the last three years involved the use of anti-personnel mines. [122092]

Mr. Spellar

UK armed forces were involved in 15 joint operations involving the use of anti-personnel landmines over the last three years, primarily involving operations in the Balkans. However, in no instances were UK armed forces responsible for their use.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Ranger anti-personnel mines are being used for training purposes. [122091]

Mr. Spellar

The UK has retained 2,088 Ranger Anti-Personnel Mines for training purposes in accordance with Article 3 of the Ottawa Convention. The retention of these mines is included in the UK's annual return to the UN Secretary General, in the UK Article 7 report for the period 1 August 1999 to April 2000.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which countries retain stocks of Ranger anti-personnel mines. [122090]

Mr. Spellar

It is not for the Government to provide information on other countries' mine holdings. Details of APL stocks held by parties to the Ottawa convention can be found, however, on the UN website www.un.org.