HC Deb 08 January 2002 vol 377 c566W
Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 4 December 2001,Official Report, column 223W, on cluster bombs, if he will include unexploded ordnance clearance in the package of measures he supports aimed at minimising the risk to civilians; if he will support measures to restrict the targeting of cluster bombs so as to protect civilians; and if he will consult Landmine Action before finalising his policy towards discussions on a new protocol addressing explosive remnants of war. [24510]

Mr. Ingram

It is entirely appropriate that cluster bombs should be included in international discussions in the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons aimed at minimising the hazard to civilians from explosive remnants of war. International law already exists to restrict the targeting of cluster bombs and other munitions so as to protect civilians, in the form of Article 51 of the First Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions, to which the United Kingdom is a State Party. The Ministry of Defence will consult widely in developing policy towards discussions on a new protocol addressing explosive remnants of war.

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