To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the mapping of the use of cluster bombs in Iraq by British and American forces is now complete; and, if not, when it will be completed. [HL3112]

During the war-fighting phase of Op TELIC in Iraq 68 cluster bombs were dropped by the UK; no cluster bombs were used after 4 April 2003. The RAF has target data for all of the cluster bombs dropped.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is committed to the timely provision of appropriate information to aid clearance organisations in their humanitarian work. Since the conflict, the UK has cleared over 1 million items of abandoned and unexploded ordnance, with Royal Engineers also being involved in the marking and fencing of bomblet strikes. Following the conflict, the UK held weekly meetings with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and commercial de-mining organisations in Basra to share information. United Nations Office for Project Services and United Nations Childrens Fund praised the UK for its response and assistance to the local population and its co-operative approach to international organisations and NGOs on de-mining.

Following withdrawal of UK forces, under Article 4 of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, the responsibility for clearance and destruction of cluster munitions rests now with Iraq.

The MoD does not hold records on use of cluster bombs by American forces.