HC Deb 03 July 1997 vol 297 cc407-8
11. Mr. Dalyell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to Official Report, column 1255, of 11 June, what representations she has received from Kevin Boyle of the British-Libyan interests group about opportunities for British companies in Libya; and if she will make a statement. [5214]

Mrs. Roche

Kevin Boyle of the British-Libyan business group has written to my colleague the Minister for Trade and to several colleagues in other Departments of State about trade with Libya.

Mr. Dalyell

Have the DTI lawyers had a sight of the evidence that the Crown Office claims to have, which is the root of all the trouble?

Mrs. Roche

As my hon. Friend will be aware, his question is a matter for Ministers at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Mr. Letwin

In the light of the Minister's laudable concern about the fate of British companies in Libya and other emerging markets, would she care to distance herself from the remarks by the Labour MEP Mr. Howitt about the conditions under which employees and others are operating so far as BP is concerned, a company with which the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe had a long and distinguished association?

Mrs. Roche

It is difficult to ascertain from what the hon. Gentleman has said exactly what he is talking about. I make it perfectly clear to him that the Government are absolutely committed to promoting international trade and that we shall do as much as we can to ensure that all our businesses, both large and small, have the opportunities of expanding export markets.