Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will take steps to ensure that tax receipts derived from the interest on frozen Libyan assets held in UK banks are used to compensate the victims of Libyan state-sponsored violence committed by the IRA; and if he will make a statement.

The Foreign Secretary's appointment of a Special Representative on UK victims of Qadhafi-sponsored IRA terrorism shows that the Government is committed to supporting the victims of Libyan-sponsored IRA terrorism. The precise terms of reference of the Special Representative are being finalised, but among the issues Mr William Shawcross will advise on is the amount of compensation that should be sought. The Government believes that any compensation plan should reflect the Special Representative's advice on this matter.