Written question asked by Norman Lamb (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 11 April 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 25 April 2002. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Thursday, 25 April 2002 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on the progress being made in clearing unexploded ordnance in Afghanistan. - Inc figures.

Answer: Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the progress being made in clearing unexploded ordnance in Afghanistan. [50083] Clare Short: The United Nations Mine Action Programme for Afghanistan (MAPA) is currently completing a period of retraining and is resuming operations wherever possible. In most regions mine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance operations have returned to their pre-September 2001 capacity. In addition, the process of expanding capacity to address the UXO threat is under way. The UN priorities for 2002 are the execution of emergency operations throughout the country and a subsequent return to 100 per cent. operational capacity, and to continue to expand mine clearance capacity as resources become available.

Secondary information