Written question asked by Tim Loughton (Conservative) on Thursday, 25 February 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 2 March 1999. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 March 1999 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what are her Department's targets for bringing about a reduction in the amount of civilian casualties from landmines overseas. - Inc figs.

Answer: Mr. Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what are her Department's targets for bringing about a reduction in the amount of civilian casualties from landmines overseas. [74386] Clare Short: All the Department for International Development-funded projects work to the United Nations standard for humanitarian mine clearance which aims for a minimum 99.6 per cent. clearance on verification. This ensures that cleared land can be used with confidence by the beneficiaries. Mine awareness is normally included within projects to reduce risk to communities in areas where clearance has not been completed. We look for opportunities to use appropriate technology within our projects to increase clearance rates while achieving the high standards required for humanitarian mine clearance activities.

Secondary information