And what are our troops supposed to use now! I think Browns forgotten that were in a war and how inportant use of the Apache is over there and he wants to take away one of its vital weapons. Sometimes I swear this Govt is trying to get our troops killed!

Dean, Southampton, England

so what do we do when there are armoured vehicles around? Wave the treaty paper around and say don't attack us we are the good guys?

Chris, Cambridge,

We still have other weapons that are quite easily capable of taking out armoured vehicles, but without the landmine-esque aftereffects of cluster bombs. So why all the complaining, what's the big deal? Yes, money has been wasted, but this isn't a big deal when it comes to protecting innocent lives.

Richard, Cambridge,

A brave and visionary decision.

Jon, London,

Since not one gov minister has served and the defense minister is a lawyer, perhaps they have misunderstood the function of the Armed Forces. Its not to give backhanders to BAE or photo opportunities or marching displays. ITS TO FIGHT AND KILL ENEMIES OF THIS COUNTRY and they need weapons to do it!

Geo, Glasgow,

Surely the issues here are. When we bought the cluster bombs did we think that we needed them?
It seems now that we did not??
If true then why was taxpayer wasted on them?
Will the proposed two new exotic nuclear-powered aircraft carriers have same fate after we have paid for them?

Michael Blatchford, Bath, UK

I am a lawyer, and one with an interest in International Humanitarian Law at that.
Nice reality check, everyone, now I know what we're up against. Wow, there are people out there who think that killing civilians with nasty weapons is just fine!
Cluster bombs are NO guarantee for our troops' safety

Christine, Essen, Germany

This is OK. The POLITICIANS have decided to do this, NOT the military. The cost of destruction will be provided OUTSIDE the military budget, and the politicians WILL accept responsibility when lives are lost because the troops were not protected, or had to fight with one hand tied. Dream On!

David L, London,

Are mortars next as area weapons that also have dud rounds?

War is a terrible but occasionally neccesary evil, I would want to have the best possible outcome for my side.

This govenment has no former soldiers in it, unlike previous goverments, and it shows in crass decisions such as this..

ken, Coventry, UK

It seems that 'EVERYTHING' Brown does is opposite to the wishes of the British people.
We're entering worrying times of fast change and rescource hoarding in the world.
The cluster bomb is a good defensive weapon. We may need it soon.
Also, why is our ammunition now made abroad?

Richard Edwards, UK,

Then they can ban the use of bullets, except by the enemy of course, but what the heck, it's only the lives of British servicemen that will be lost. The EU armies of the future will consist entirely of lawyers. On second thoughts, not such a bad idea.

David Masu, Zürich,

Thanks, Tom H! All the other comments show that we're living in a place where our children can play outside without any risk of being blown up. What if those things lay around in YOUR garden and stopped you from having a life? Killed your family? There have to be other ways to protect our troops.

Christine, Essen, Germany

Hopefully this won't lead precipitously to yet another paper tiger in the community of free nations. There are militaries in Continental Europe that do a superb job of parading about whilst doing little more than laundry. Somebody else is providing for their national security.

Joe, New York, US

Is Brown trying to lose the next election?

Dominic, Manchester, England

What a load of rubbish! Maybe we need to reintroduce the longbow?!?

Shaun Corrigan, TAIPEI, TAIWAN

No pay for all G'v'mnt employees for 6 yrs to help pay for destroying the 'cluster bombs'...No U.S. troops....Get our troops out of Europe and the Far East.....(Japan-South Korea )...M.E ..ok..Help protect Israel...a true friend......Aussies OK......

Mr Tim, San Marcos, U S of A

Madness , total madness , thank God for America coming to our rescue - again ! - Labour yet again you forget who the customer is !

john stephenson, hong Kong, hong Kong

Gordon Brown sends our armed forces to war and then starts to take away vital arms from them...lets not pretent war is all fluffy bunnies and cuddles...people get hurt..it aint pretty...

Adrian, aldershot, ENGLAND

Couldn't our armed forces just take them somwere and blow them up!! thus saving us $Millions

steve, sunshine coast,

Land mines having been discarded as a legitimate means of "defence", it is simple logic that cluster bombs, also a source of indiscriminate danger to civilians, especially children, should follow them into oblivion. Soon, please.

Tom H, Reading, UK

It is to be hoped that Britain's future enemies do not travel in armoured vehicles. Still, what is a few more servicemen's lives compared with the popularity of Mr Brown?

Rob, Emsworth, UK

So we will need to rely on the Amnericans to defend British soldiers once again. Well done to Labour.

Ian, London, UK