§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy to seek to end exports from the United Kingdom to Libya, in view of the recent arms discoveries in Northern Ireland believed to have originated in Libya.
§ Mr. MellorI have been asked to reply.
No. We do not operate economic sanctions against Libya, and British firms remain free to use their own judgment on whether to trade with Libya. We do not, however, actively promote trade with Libya. Nor is there any question of the Government issuing licences for defence exports to Libya or of resuming diplomatic relations whilst Libyan involvement in terrorist activity and support for the IRA continues.