To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what stocks of landmines were held in (a) 2001 and (b) 2002 on Diego Garcia; what stocks are held there now; whose authority they are under; and if he will make a statement. [96389]
We have received assurances from the US authorities that no anti-personnel landmines were stored on Diego Garcia during 2001 or 2002. In contrast to anti-personnel landmines, anti-tank mines are not banned weapons under international law and are not subject to ban under international treaties. No antitank mines were stored on Diego Garcia by the British authorities in 2001 or 2002. The storing of such mines by the US authorities would be a matter for them under the various international agreements regulating their defence facility on the island.