House of Lords written question – answered at on 29 April 2002.
The Bishop of Guildford
Bishop
asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have given any financial assistance to non-governmental organisations such as Landmine Action to enable them to bring their expertise to discussions on explosive remnants of war under the auspices of the United Kingdom.
Baroness Amos
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign and Commonwealth Office), Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Foreign & Commonwealth Office
We have not received any requests from NGOs for funding their involvement in discussions on explosive remnants of war. shirley
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