Cluster Munitions (Prohibitions) Bill (HL) : explanatory notes

The main purpose of this Bill is to create criminal offences in order to enforce the prohibitions set out in Article 1 of the Convention on Cluster Munitions that was signed by the Foreign Secretary in Oslo on 3rd December 2008, and to which the United Kingdom wishes to become a State Party.

Article 1 of the Convention prohibits States Parties from using, developing, producing, otherwise acquiring, stockpiling, retaining or transferring cluster munitions; and from assisting, encouraging or inducing anyone else to engage in these prohibited activities.

The Article 1 prohibitions also apply to explosive bomblets that are specifically designed to be dispersed or released from dispensers affixed to aircraft.

The Bill consists of 34 clauses which include: definition of the munitions; creation and definition the criminal offences and certain defences allowed; identifying, removing and destroying the munitions; and, production of information and records for the purposes of the Convention.