HC Deb 07 May 1986 vol 97 c148
16. Mr. Bidwell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further consideration is to be given by the European Economic Community Council to relations with Libya, in the light of the United States military attack on Libya.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

The EC member states have already put in place a wide range of measures designed to combat Libyan-inspired terrorism, and have made plain their determination to resist it. That has also been the subject of close consultation with the United States, most recently at the Tokyo summit, where agreement was reached on a continuing programme of effective collective action.

Mr. Bidwell

Is it not clear that the Foreign Secretary is the odd man out in the EEC regarding the United States' bombing attack on Libya? Has he learnt lessons from that, and will he give us an assurance that there will be no repeat performance?

Sir Geoffrey Howe

It is far from clear that I occupy the position of odd man out. Indeed, the extent to which we could secure widespread agreement throughout the Community in support of the action programme we have suggested is remarkable.