To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of Pakistan’s proposals to fence and mine the Afghan-Pakistani border; and what assessment she has made of the potential effect of this policy on insurgents operating in Pakistan. (114211)

The UK recognises the efforts being made by Pakistan to curb cross-border infiltration on the Afghan-Pakistani border and its commitment to continue this work. The UK position on the use of landmines is well-known and we urge Pakistan to find solutions with less destructive long-term humanitarian consequences. We have not yet made an assessment of the potential effect of this proposal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with Pakistan on the laying of landmines on the Afghan border; and if she will make a statement. (115895)

The subject was discussed when my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister met President Musharraf in Pakistan on 19 November 2006. The UK recognises the efforts being made by Pakistan to curb cross-border infiltration on the Afghan-Pakistani border and its commitment to continue this work. The UK position on the use of landmines is well known and we urge Pakistan to find solutions with less destructive long-term humanitarian consequences.

Officials remain in regular contact with both the Afghan and Pakistan governments about Taliban activity on their mutual border and border management issues. As part of a common effort to counter terrorism, the Government are providing training and capacity-building to the Pakistan authorities in their efforts to counter Al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Pakistan. The Government are also considering how they might help both the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan to manage border issues more effectively, in an effort to further reduce the Taliban threat.