Written question asked by Julian Brazier (Conservative) on Monday, 12 June 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 21 June 2006. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 June 2006 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Mine Clearance

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what mine clearance equipment is available to Light Forces; what mine clearance equipment is deployed in (a) Afghanistan and (b) Iraq; how many mine clearance projects have been completed in each of the last three years, broken down by country; and how many projects are pending, broken down by country.

Answer: Light Forces are equipped with appropriate mine clearance equipment for the tasks and environments in which they operate.I am withholding information regarding the specific mine clearance equipment available to Light Forces and deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq, as disclosure of such information would have a bearing on our operational security and place our servicemen and women at risk.UK forces do not undertake mine clearance projects. They undertake routine clearance tasks only that are essential to the protection of UK forces during an operation. Humanitarian mine clearance projects are undertaken by specialist contractors, paid for and coordinated by the Department for International Development.

Secondary information