§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if animals will be used in the development of thermobaric weapons. [145370]
§ Dr. MoonieI have nothing to add to the answer provided by my hoe. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces on 5 June 2000,Official Report, columns 17–18W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Sittingbourne and Sheppey (Mr. Wyatt).
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his policy towards the(a) development and (b) use by British armed forces of thermobaric weapons. [145371]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Ministry of Defence does not have any weapons based on `thermobaric' munitions in its inventory. However, such weapons exist and it would therefore be irresponsible not to keep developments in this field under review, not least to develop protective measures for our personnel.
We have asked industry to consider how best to provide an anti-structure capability for use by the infantry in the urban environment. It is possible that this solution may involve using blast rather than fragmentation effects.
Should we decide to acquire such a weapon, we would ensure that this was fully in accordance with international law and our treaty obligations.