§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, when he met his European Economic Community colleagues on 14 April, he was aware that President Reagan had sought the agreement of the Prime Minsiter for the use of United States bases in the United Kingdom to launch an attack on targets in Libya; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweYes. I was present in No. 10 when the initial message from President Reagan was received. I played a full part in the consultations which followed. These included a visit to London, and a number of other292W European capitals, by General Walters. In consequence, at the meeting of European Community Foreign Ministers on 14 April, I was aware, as were indeed others with whom the United States had been in touch, that United States military action against Libya was an early possibility. I was, of course, also aware both of President Reagan's request for an agreement on the use of United States aircraft from bases in the United Kingdom and of the response which had beer given to that request. Like others, however, I had no confirmation that the President had taken the final decision to go ahead, and specifically on the night of 14–15 April, until I returned to London after the meeting.
§ Dr. Godmanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received about trade sanctions taken against the United Kingdom by Arab countries following the United States air raid on Libya.
§ Mr. RentonI am not aware of any such trade sanctions.