Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of demining programmes on levels of migration to the UK from countries where those programmes are active.

Migration decisions are often complex and driven by a combination of intersecting factors, so it is challenging to assess the impact of demining programmes specifically on migration to the UK. However, the presence of explosive ordnance acts as a driver of migration by creating an environment of fear, insecurity and physical danger that compels people to flee their homes. Demining is also an enabler of voluntary return; ensuring that land becomes safe again helps people to feel able to return home. Over time, through risk education and demining, humanitarian mine action programmes have a track record of reducing casualties and improving livelihoods, giving people an alternative to onward movement.