---

Dept for International Development

Answer

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contracts have been placed by (a) the United States of America, (b) the United Kingdom and (c) other countries and institutions for the clearing of unexploded ordnance in Iraq; what the values of these contracts are; whom they are with; what the requirements are for which the contractors are being paid; whether sub-contracting to do the actual clearance work is provided for in the main contracts; what relationship is expected between the contractors and military forces stationed in the country, non-governmental organisations and Iraqis; and if he will make a statement. [157138] Hilary Benn: DFID is supporting de-mining and the clearance of unexploded ordnance in Iraq both through non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the UN. DFID has signed contracts with the NGO Mines Advisory Group for work in northern Iraq (£781,639) and southern Iraq (£1,201,263). These contracts cover direct de-mining activities utilising a combination of expatriate staff and locally recruited de-miners. In addition, DFID has funded humanitarian mine action through the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS). The total provided to UNMAS is £4,357,358, including a grant of £357,358 for the purchase of plastic explosives for use in unexploded ordnance disposal. UNMAS has subcontracted the actual de-mining under these contracts to a number of international NGOs and commercial de-mining companies. DFID expects the relationship between NGO contractors, commercial de-miners and the military to be one of close cooperation. On the military side, relevant engineer specialists of the British Battle Group have been particularly involved in this. We also encourage a focus on capacity building of Iraqi de- miners as much as possible. Information on de-mining work funded by the US, including the establishment a 110-strong `Iraqi Mine/ UXO Clearance' NGO, can be found at www.cpa- iraq.org/pressreleases/20031213a mines.htm.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

418 c917-8W;418 c933-4W; 157138

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Contracts Bomb disposal International assistance Iraq Landmines USA Reconstruction

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

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