Written question asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Astor of Hever (Conservative) on Monday, 28 February 2011.

Africa: Landmines

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to help clear all landmines laid during World War II in north Africa.

Answer: The UK has assisted with landmine clearance in North Africa in the past and continues to provide technical information to the mine affected countries. The Government have overhauled their support for mine clearance programmes in order to focus on high-impact zones in a more responsive and flexible way. We have prioritised according to identified relative need and targeted those low-income countries that are worst affected by landmines, considering factors such as: the number of lives that are likely to be saved; the number of mines in the area; the benefit to a community socially and economically; and the targeting of funding towards countries unable to fund mine clearance programmes of their own or which do not receive significant support from elsewhere in the international community.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 6973; 725 c203WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Africa: Landmines
Thursday, 17 March 2011
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Bomb disposal Landmines World War II North Africa
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk