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Cluster Munitions (Prohibitions) Bill [Lords]

The truth is that we would not have the convention if it had not included the interoperability provision. It was a key part of the brokerage that the Prime Minister advanced in Dublin. All the voluntary organisations calling for a cluster munitions convention were delighted that we managed to achieve it, and have, therefore, been supportive of the interoperability clause. As article 21 (2) states:""Each State Party shall notify the governments of all States not party to this Convention…and shall promote the norms it establishes."" In other words, states parties have to make sure that any other states with which they are working understand the basis on which their personnel will be engaged. Yes, the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) is completely right to say that we have to make sure there is clear guidance for personnel, so they know exactly what they can and cannot do. That is already in hand. Consequently, Sir Alan, I very much hope that the clause will stand part. Question put and agreed to. Clause 9 ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clauses 10 to 15 ordered to stand part of the Bill.