Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Friday, 20 October 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 24 October 2023. It was answered by Gareth Davies (Conservative) on Thursday, 26 October 2023 on behalf of the Treasury.

Freezing of Assets: Libya

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of using frozen Libyan assets to compensate the victims of Libyan-sponsored IRA terrorism.

Answer: The UK Government reiterates its sympathy for UK victims of Qaddafi-sponsored terrorism, and indeed all victims of the Troubles. It is important that the UK Government pursues fairness and consistency in the provision of support to victims of terrorism and access to publicly funded compensation schemes and the UK’s position with regards to victims of Libyan-sponsored IRA terrorism was outlined in a Ministerial Statement on 23 March 2021. With regards to using frozen Libyan assets, the Government cannot lawfully use such assets to provide compensation to victims. Doing so would break international law and our obligations as members of the UN.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 203666
Session: 2022-23
Subjects: Compensation Arms trade IRA Terrorism Victims Libya Freezing of assets
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk