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Cluster Munitions (Prohibitions) Bill [HL]

My Lords, I agree with what the noble Lord, Lord Hannay, has said. I draw further comfort from the way in which the Ottawa Convention operated. Although some countries did not sign up to the ban on antipersonnel landmines, there has been a significant reduction in their use. Some of the key countries which owned them have not used them at all—the United States, for example. I hope that I am right in that—it is certainly my understanding. I therefore hope that the Americans, although they are still in possession of large stockpiles of cluster munitions, will refrain from using them or regarding them as a main weapon. That goes further than anything that has been said, and it is an expression of hope. The Ottawa Convention precedent ought to help us a bit there. Of course, there are also arguments within the United States that it, too, should ban these weapons. I know that some leading Senators take that view, but whether they will succeed in persuading the Administration of that I am not sure. I must concede that other countries, such has Russia, have not signed up and have used them. I understanding that cluster munitions were used by both sides in the conflict in South Georgia a couple of years ago. My argument does not hold water in respect of all countries, but I would hope that it will have some weight as regards the United States.