§ 14. Mr. Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow)Pursuant to his oral answer of 6 May 1999, Official Report, column 1073, on Libya, what conclusions he has come to in relation to restoration of Government services, following the suspension of United Nations and EU sanctions. [86506]
§ The Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs (Dr. Kim Howells)I am pleased to announce that within the limits of resources available, Government services to exporters to Libya are being restored following the suspension of United Kingdom and European Union sanctions. British Trade International is taking a proactive role in collating and making available market information on Libya, both on paper and through the internet, just as it does for all our other trading partners.
Country managers have already taken part in trade events to inform UK companies about trade opportunities with Libya. British Trade International is actively encouraging UK firms to consider joining trade missions to Libya. However, the full range of export services—particularly Government financial support—will not be restored until satisfactory progress has been made on the case of WPC Yvonne Fletcher, which could lead to normalisation of bilateral relations and the re-establishment of a full commercial operation in Tripoli.
§ Mr. DalyellI have been deeply involved in the case of WPC Yvonne Fletcher. Is not the case so complex that the time has come for a ministerial visit?
§ Dr. HowellsNormalisation cannot occur while a young police officer has been murdered on our streets in uncertain circumstances. We have a duty to find out the truth of that murder and to find the guilty parties.