asked Her Majesty's Government:Pursuant to the letter of 31 January from the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Mr Hain, to the Chairman of the Select Committee on the European Union, what is their estimate of the number of kilometres of roads and electricity transmission lines together with hectares of land which remain to be cleared of landmines and other explosive devices in Mozambique and the Zambezia Province. [HL1044]

There has been no comprehensive landmine survey of the entire territory of Mozambique and the National Demining Institute in Mozambique has no reliable information on the total area affected by landmines. A Canadian sponsored survey of the entire country is in progress and should be completed by the end of this year. Reliable information should then be available.