Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to seek compensation from the government of Libya for the victims of Irish Republican Army terrorism; if so, what progress they have made in seeking such compensation; and if not, why not.

We want to see a just solution for all of the victims of Irish Republican Army (IRA) terrorism. The British Government continues to press the Libyan authorities to engage constructively with victims and their representatives on their campaign for compensation: most recently, the Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, Alistair Burt, raised this with Prime Minister Serraj and the Ministers of Interior, Justice and Foreign Affairs in April. The Secretary of State for International Development also raised this with Prime Minister Serraj in August. However, the current violence and political instability in Libya has effectively stalled discussions with the authorities on the resolution of legacy issues. We are now working with other Government Departments to explore what more we can do to support victims of Qadhafi-sponsored IRA terrorism.