HC Deb 14 March 2003 vol 401 cc434-5W
Mr. Frank Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps the Government has taken to ensure that contracts for overseas work awarded by the US to(a) British private military companies and (b) UK-based subsidiaries of US companies do not include the handling, storage and maintenance of anti-personnel mine stockpiles. [101296]

Mr. Ingram

The Landmines Act 1998 prohibits certain conduct, including using or possessing an antipersonnel mine, or participating in the acquisition or transfer of an anti-personnel mine, or assisting, encouraging or inducing such conduct. These offences apply to conduct in the United Kingdom and to conduct by United Kingdom nationals elsewhere. Any indication of illegal activity would be a matter for the law enforcement agencies.