To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Government expect full mine clearance in the Falkland Islands to be completed; and what relevant contracts to effect such clearance have been entered into. (325548)

The UK was granted a 10-year extension to its obligations under the Ottawa convention in November 2008. De-mining of the Falkland Islands therefore has to be completed by March 2019.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is currently funding a four-site de-mining programme in the Falkland Islands. Clearance of these sites started in December 2009 and is expected to complete by July 2010. To date over 1,100 mines have been located and destroyed. Analysis of this project will inform future clearance work.