Yemen: Cluster Munitions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Yemen: Cluster Munitions

Tania Mathias Excerpts
Tuesday 24th May 2016

(7 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Philip Dunne Portrait Mr Dunne
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The hon. Lady referred to munitions falling. We do not know at this point when, where or how the munitions referred to in the allegations were delivered. It is that kind of information that will help to inform the investigation and what is then done about it. In relation to clearing up the munitions that clearly do exist in northern Yemen, we are supporting a number of non-governmental organisations by providing resource and training to encourage them to undertake this very important work.

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I earnestly hope that the hon. Lady was here at the start of the statement.

Tania Mathias Portrait Dr Mathias
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indicated assent.

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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That is good enough for me.

Tania Mathias Portrait Dr Mathias
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Following on from the point made by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for North East Hertfordshire (Sir Oliver Heald), will the Minister tell me what happened to the existing UK-manufactured cluster bombs when the UK signed the convention on cluster munitions?

Philip Dunne Portrait Mr Dunne
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I can help my hon. Friend. The last munitions were supplied to Saudi Arabia in 1989. The convention was signed in 2008; at that point, although it did not come into effect until May 2010, we ceased supplying or supporting those weapons any further.