Written question asked by Robert Key (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 July 1997. It was answered by Lord Reid of Cardowan (Labour) on Monday, 21 July 1997 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: What is the location of each of the 12 British anti-personnel landmines known to still be in Iraq following the Gulf conflict; what is their type and specification; what steps he is taking to ensure they are cleared; and what estimate he has made of the total number unaccounted for in Iraq.

Answer: Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the location of each of the 12 British anti-personnel land mines known still to be in Iraq following the Gulf conflict; what is their type and specification; what steps he is taking to ensure they are cleared; and what estimate he has made of the total number unaccounted for in Iraq. [9665] Dr. Reid: According to currently available information, 12 C3A1 anti-personnel land mines, commonly known as Elsies, were used in Iraq and not subsequently recovered. Consistent with the provisions of international law current at the time, details of their precise locations were not recorded in view of the nature of the operations. Given the current circumstances in Iraq, it would not be practical to attempt now to clear them. My Department is trying urgently to establish whether any further anti-personnel land mines used by British forces in the Gulf conflict remain unaccounted for.

Secondary information