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Cluster Munitions (Prohibitions) Bill [HL]

My Lords, I support the views expressed by the noble Lord, Lord Howell, on this matter, because, as was said at Second Reading, the convention will need very careful watching. I think that we assume—and the Government have given good evidence of it in the Bill—that we will apply it rigorously, but an awful lot of other signatories to the convention may apply it with something less than what we would describe as full rigour. There is no machinery at present to monitor that or any kind of international inspection process to ensure that they are sticking to their obligations. I know that the Minister gave a helpful response to this point that which is provided for in the convention, and I do not wish to go down that road again. However, one factor in being able really to press all the signatories to be rigorous in their application is our being able to demonstrate that we are extremely meticulous in our application, which is where the amendment would help. I am not saying that the only way in which one can do it is by changing the Bill; the Minister might say in her reply that we will require people who are permitted to keep cluster munitions to report regularly so that we can fulfil to the letter our obligations under the convention. I hope that she will say we will be meticulous. It is not really to do with us; it is to do with how we try to get other people to take as tough a line as we do.