Written question asked by David Lidington (Conservative) on Monday, 15 December 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 December 2008. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Tuesday, 13 January 2009 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Libya: Terrorism

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Prime Minister's meeting with the hon. Member for Belfast North and others on 10 December, whether he plans to press the Government of Libya to reopen the question of compensation to victims of terrorism in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The meeting between the PM and the hon. Member for Belfast North and others on 10 December provided an opportunity for discussion on this issue. The PM is acutely aware of the sensitivities and frustrations of this issue, as he expressed during this meeting. I would emphasise that the Government does not condone in any way Libya's past actions and the victims of IRA atrocities have our whole hearted sympathy. We have tested the Libyan position on IRA compensation on a number of occasions and the US raised it on our behalf in August this year. Each time the Libyans have reiterated that they consider the matter closed. As the PM stated on 10 December, we will not therefore seek to negotiate a bilateral settlement on this issue with Libya. However, we will monitor the position of Libya in relation to this issue. The Government have already openly responded to queries on compensation for victims of IRA terrorism and will continue to do so.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 486 c545-6W; 244967
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Libya: Terrorism
Monday, 20 July 2009
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Terrorism Libya
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk