I am grateful for the comments of Alfred Dowson (HT Letters August 7), about cluster bombs and depleted uranium. I am happy to respond to his query.

I can tell him that I have voiced concerns about the use of cluster bombs in the past, and did so in the recent conflict in Iraq.

On April 3, 2003, in a debate in the House of Commons during the recent war in Iraq I said: "The Secretary of State will be aware of reports this morning that British Forces have used cluster bombs in Iraq. Does he not agree that the unintended consequences of using such weapons can have a terrible impact on the civilian population and, indeed, on our own forces? I am sure that we all remember the two Gurkhas who tragically lost their lives in Kosovo while clearing up unexploded bomblets. Will the Secretary of State confirm that if such bombs are used, he will notify the aid agencies and others in the area of their presence and give a commitment that UK forces will be involved in clearing unexploded ordnance?"

I also opposed the use of cluster bombs in Afghanistan saying in the House of Commons on November 1, 2001 'in this campaign the use of cluster bombs is wrong'.

I have also asked a number of parliamentary questions about depleted uranium, and have publicity voiced concerns about the use of depleted uranium weapons by the Ministry of Defence.

Our Armed Forces are entitled to the best protection when they risk their lives in combat, we must think carefully before withdrawing equipment that might save their lives. But we also have a responsibility to ensure that innocent civilians, and indeed our own forces, should not suffer because of indiscriminate weapons. It is for this reason, as Mr Dowson suggests, that I have voiced my concerns about the use of cluster bombs and depleted uranium.

PAUL KEETCH,

Member of Parliament for Hereford, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary.