CLUSTER BOMBS IN IRAQ

Early day motion 1448, tabled 19 June 2003 by Harry Cohen (Labour). Signed by 41 members.

That this House notes that the Secretary of State for Defence, when asked what reports he had received of civilian casualties in Iraq as a consequence of the dropping of cluster bombs, replied 'we are aware of no proven reports of civilian casualties caused by United Kingdom cluster bombs' (3rd June, Official Report, column 393W); further notes that www.iraqbodycount.org lists 23 specific reports involving deaths as a consequence of cluster bombs which it says accounts for between 828 and 1,172 reported deaths; also notes that some of these happened in Basra and the south of Iraq where the forces had responsibility; and invites the Secretary of State to reconsider his Answer.

Signatures by party: Labour 27, Liberal Democrat 11, Labour/Co-operative 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1.