Written question asked by Andrew Murrison (Conservative) on Thursday, 16 March 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 March 2006. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 March 2006 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Libya

Question: (2) how much compensation Libya has paid to the families of those who died on the Pan-Am flight at Lockerbie; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Libyan co-operation has resulted in the conviction of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi, who is currently serving a 27-year sentence in Greenock Prison. Libya has also paid out US $8 million to each of the victim's families. A further US $2 million will be paid to each of the victim's families once the United States removes Libya from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism.The lawyers representing the families of the victims negotiated the financial settlement. This was thought to provide a much better settlement than Government to Government negotiations.

Secondary information