HL Deb 05 March 1973 vol 339 cc861-3
LORD JANNER

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many British subjects have been dispossessed of their property and assets by the Libyan Government and what steps they have taken or will take to obtain adequate compensation.

THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE)

My Lords, we know of eight British subjects whose property has been expropriated by the Libyan Government since the 1969 revolution. We have made frequent representations to the Libyan authorities in support of their claim for compensation and will continue to do so.

LORD JANNER

My Lords, will the noble Baroness consider joining with other Governments whose nations have been treated in a similar way with a view to taking concerted action with respect to this atrocious taking-over of the possessions of quite innocent people, people who have no opportunity of getting their property restored to them other than through action by their own Governments? May I further ask whether, while doing that, she will investigate the question of what racial and religious considerations have been used in respect of this particular imposition on innocent people?

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, so far as working together with other Governments is concerned, the Libyan Government have nationalised all foreign (including British) interests in banking, insurance and petroleum distribution. We have made repeated representations, and we understand that one firm has received compensation and that in another instance the company have submitted their case to arbitration. Therefore, we think it better to make either these individual representations or for a case to be pursued under the law.

LORD HARVEY OF PRESTBURY

My Lords, is it a fact that any British subject wanting to go to Libya to deal with this matter must possess a passport written in Arabic as well as in English? If so, what progress has been made in sorting out this difficulty?

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, we and other Governments have made it clear that the requirement that there should be passports written both in Arabic and in English is contrary to international passport practice. As a result of those representations, the Libyans have made exemptions which cover all foreign residents in Libya, their dependants and most visiting businessmen; but the difficulty still applies to tourists and visiting officials.

LORD JANNER

My Lords, would the noble Baroness consider making representations to the Commission on Human Rights in respect of individuals whose properties have been taken? One appreciates that there are companies involved, but in the main there are something like 700 persons who have been dispossessed of their property. Is there not a question of human rights in respect of that aspect of the situation?

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, as I understand it, and in answer to the supplementary question from the noble Lord, Lord Janner, we know not of 700 but of eight British subjects whose property has been expropriated by the Libyan Government. The Commission on Human Rights deals with cases involving peoples, not necessarily with individuals.

LORD JANNER

My Lords, I hope the noble Baroness will forgive me, but I was referring to people, and not to 700 cases involving British subjects. I was referring to the fact that the Commission should be respected, and that we should join with other nations in presenting a case to the Commission.

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, I said previously that, as I understand it, the Commission will deal not with individual cases, as suggested by the noble Lord, Lord Janner, but only with cases where there is a flagrant abuse of human rights.

LORD SLATER

My Lords, can the noble Baroness say whether the International Court has any jurisdiction over such matters as have been raised by my noble friend Lord Janner? Could they be submitted to the International Court?

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, the Question refers in particular to British subjects, of which I said there were eight. We are making representations on those cases, and we think that this is the best way to deal with the matter. There is recourse to the courts of law, not to the International Court.