Written question asked by Tam Dalyell (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 20 October 1998. It was answered by Henry McLeish (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 October 1998 on behalf of the Scottish Office.

Scottish Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if the Lord Advocate will comment on his contacts (a) directly and (b) through the UN with (i) the Libyan authorities and (ii) the lawyers representing the Libyans accused of the Lockerbie bombing.

Answer: Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Lord Advocate will mae a statement on his contracts (a) directly and (b) through the UN with (i) the Libyan authorities and (ii) the lawyers representing the Libyans accused of the Lockerbie bombing. [55454] Mr. McLeish: My noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary set out the Government's position on 24 August when they announced the initiative for a Scottish trial in the Netherlands. The Libyan authorities were invited to seek any clarification of the terms of the initiative through the Secretary General of the United Nations. One such set of questions has been addressed through the Legal Counsel to the Secretary General and a comprehensive response has been given.

Secondary information