§ Norman LambTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to achieve an expansion of the mine action programme in Afghanistan. [40657]
§ Clare ShortWe have been supporting mine clearance in Afghanistan for many years. We have allocated £3 million through the United Nations Afghanistan Emergency Trust Fund for future humanitarian mine action interventions. This will cover mine clearance operations in Afghanistan, such as training, clearance of cluster bombs and other unexploded ordnance (UXO) and mines awareness activities. In addition we have provided £150,000 for the cost of two dedicated airlifts of demining equipment for the HALO Trust to begin demining operations.