Q73. Mr. Ron Brownasked the Prime Minister what recent representations she has made to the Libyan authorities, including Colonel Gaddafi, about the detention of Britons in Libya.
§ The Prime MinisterI warmly welcome the release of the four Britons who have been held in Libya since mid-May 1984. During their detention, we have made representations through a variety of channels, especially the Italian protecting power, to press for the earliest possible release of the hostages. We have also worked closely with the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been in constant contact with his special representative, Mr. Terry Waite. I am deeply grateful to them both for the humanitarian mission which Mr. Terry Waite has undertaken to secure the hostages' freedom, and I should like to pay tribute to the patience and outstanding skill with which Mr. Waite successfully completed his mission.