§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what instructions have been given to service personnel engaged in Afghanistan in the event of them encountering UK citizens fighting for(a) the Taliban and (b) al-Qaeda; and if he will make a statement; [13629]
(2) what instructions have been issued to UK forces in Afghanistan in the event of them taking prisoner a UK citizen fighting for (a) the Taliban and (b) al-Qaeda; and if he will make a statement. [13623]
§ Mr. HoonWherever they are engaged, British forces are required to act in accordance with national and international law. Any prisoners taken would be treated in accordance with the Geneva Conventions.
§ Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if cluster bomblets are defined as precision munitions in the conflict with the Taliban and Al-Qaeda network in Afghanistan. [14263]
§ Mr. IngramCluster bombs rely on a ballistic delivery—for example, on the skill of the crew to ensure accuracy—and neither the bombs nor the bomblets that they release are laser guided. They are used with discretion and proportionality as international law requires, and against legitimate and appropriate terrorist and military targets that are selected with great care. Our targeting and weapons selection processes are rigorous with every effort made to avoid civilian casualties.