§ Mr. Andrew MacKayasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on Government relations with Libya.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweFollowing our break in diplomatic relations with Libya on 22 April we have no wish for the dispute to be escalated further. But we shall respond firmly to any Libyan action against our interests. The welfare of the British community is a major concern. We are making vigorous representations through the Italian protecting power about the unjustified detention of British citizens.
As the House well knows, there is no question of any change in the Government's policy of refusing to bargain over the release of those sentenced or awaiting trial in this country on serious criminal charges.
§ Mr. Bendallasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent advice he has given to British citizens resident in Libya.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweThe welfare of the British community is a major concern. We are in close touch with the British interests section in Tripoli and with British companies operating in Libya, to whom we have given advice. It would not be in the interests of the British community for me to say anything further about the nature of that advice. No Government can give an absolute guarantee of the safety of their nationals in a foreign country, particularly where there are no diplomatic relations. In the circumstances, British residents who choose to remain in Libya inevitably do so on their own responsibility and that of the Libyan authorities.