HL Deb 08 September 2003 vol 652 cc43-4WA
Lord Hoyle

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many unexploded cluster bombs there are in Iraq. [HL4172]

Lord Bach

We have no means of knowing the number of unexploded cluster bombs there are in Iraq.

Lord Hoyle

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many people have been killed and injured by cluster bombs in Iraq since the end of the war. [HL4173]

Lord Bach

We have no means of knowing the number of people who have been killed or injured by cluster bombs since the end of the war.

Lord Hoyle

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps are being taken to clear unexploded cluster bombs in Iraq. [HL4174]

Lord Bach

United Kingdom and other coalition Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams in the UK's area of responsibility have completed over 1,000 tasks and destroyed over 100,000 individual munitions. We do not record types of munitions destroyed.

A full survey of sites where unexploded munitions exist is now under-way. The survey is being conducted in concert with other coalition forces, non-governmental organisations and demining companies.