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Dept for International Development

Answer

Norman Lamb: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what reports the Department has received from (a) UNMAS and (b) other sources on the number of (i) air-launched and ground-launched cluster munitions and (ii) unexploded bomblets at the sites where cluster munitions were used during the recent conflict in Iraq. [117198] Hilary Benn: DFID is not aware of any comprehensive assessment on the number of air- launched and ground-launched cluster munitions used during the recent conflict, nor on the number of unexploded bomblets remaining. However the Ministry of Defence report that during the conflict UK forces dropped 66 air-delivered cluster bombs and fired some 2,000 artillery-delivered bomblet shells. We recognise that unexploded ordnance (UXO) is a matter of grave humanitarian concern. The UK is fully committed to facilitating the clearance of UXO as part of the post-conflict reconstruction of Iraq. Demining organisations funded by DFID (UN Mine Action Service £4 million and Mines Advisory Group £81,000) are working alongside local organisations and the Coalition military to plot the locations of all UXO and to carry out disposals.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

117198; 406 c771-2W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Ammunition Armed conflict Bombs Bomb disposal Finance Iraq Landmines Iraq conflict UN Mine Action Service

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk