Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Friday, 28 November 1997, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 December 1997. It was answered by Tony Lloyd (Labour) on Thursday, 4 December 1997 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when the United Kingdom plans to ratify the Ottawa Land Mines Treaty; and what action Her Majesty's Government plans to take to encourage non-signing countries to ratify the treaty. - Inc ref to 301 c398-9W.

Answer: Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the United Kingdom plans to ratify the Ottawa Land Mines Treaty; and what action Her Majesty's Government plan to take to encourage non-signing countries to ratify the treaty. [18936] Mr. Tony Lloyd: On ratification of the Ottawa Convention, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 November 1997 to the hon. and learned Member for North-East Fife (Mr. Campbell), Official Report, columns 398-99. We shall continue to take every opportunity to urge as many countries as possible to sign the Ottawa Convention and will press for complementary action, to promote a global ban on anti-personnel landmines, in international fora, including the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 18936; 302 c300W
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Bomb disposal International cooperation Landmines Ottawa Convention Treaties Conferences