Written question asked by Ann Winterton (Conservative) on Monday, 24 November 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 26 November 2008. It was answered by Lord Davies of Stamford (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 November 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Army: Weapons

Question: (2) what trigger mechanisms were employed for the L14A1 side attack mine while it was in Army service; and whether it was ever fitted with infrared sensors.

Answer: According to our records, the L14A1 side attack mine was not in service with British Armed Forces. Two variants of an off-route anti-tank mine, the LI 14A1 and the L131A1, are known to have entered military service prior to 1971, but no record can be found of the precise dates. Initiation was either by an operator using a trigger switch or by means of a break-wire stretched across the road. Neither munition was fitted with infrared sensors. They were withdrawn from service in 1994 and were disposed of by burning at the MOD range at Shoeburyness in the mid 1990s.

Secondary information