§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps through diplomatic sources in Libya to seek to establish the extent of involvement of United Kingdom companies or their subsidiaries in gas pipeline contracts in that country.
§ Mr. ChannonI have been asked to reply.
Since the break in diplomatic relations with Libya on 29 April 1984, the Italian Government have been responsible for the protection of British interests in. Libya. Two junior diplomats are attached to the Italian embassy in Tripoli to help with consular and administrative affairs, but not commercial matters. Therefore I am unable to take the steps suggested.