CLUSTER BOMB USE IN URBAN AREAS

Early day motion 1376, tabled 10 June 2003 by Adam Price (Plaid Cymru). Signed by 41 members.

That this House notes that during the recent invasion of Iraq, the UK Government sanctioned the use of cluster bombs by the military; notes that UK forces fired 2,000 L20 cluster shells around Basra alone; further notes with concern that the Government failed to make it its policy not to use cluster bombs in urban or populated areas in Iraq, stating instead that it would be 'unlikely' that they would not be used in those areas; expresses concern that unexploded ordnance is a direct result of cluster bomb use and that it poses a lasting threat to innocent civilians long after any conflict is over; and demands that the Government makes it its policy to rule out the use of cluster bombs, not only in urban or populated areas but also against military targets, in any future conflict.

Signatures by party: Labour 21, Liberal Democrat 11, Labour/Co-operative 3, Plaid Cymru 3, Scottish National Party 3.