Written question asked by Baroness Kramer (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 4 July 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 July 2006. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Monday, 10 July 2006 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Kosovo (Munitions Clearance)

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Kosovo Protection Corps clearance of UK cluster munitions in Kosovo; and when the clearance is expected to be completed.

Answer: I have been asked to replyThe Kosovo Protection Corps has been trained to UN benchmarks in the clearance of a broad variety of mines, unexploded ordnance and cluster munitions by Handicap International. Alongside non-governmental organisations engaged in explosive ordnance disposal, they have cleared a significant number of designated dangerous areas in Kosovo in 2006 alone. It is anticipated that in 2007 the clearance of dangerous areas will have been completed. A recent report made by the United Nations Mine Action Service stated that the Kosovo Protection Corps explosive ordnance disposal teams will be capable of addressing the residual land mine and unexploded ordnance threat in Kosovo from 2007 and beyond.

Secondary information