asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government accepts the legality of the nationalisation measures taken against British Petroleum Exploration (Libya) Limited by the Libyan Government.

We have not yet received the full explanation requested from the Libyan Government, but from a careful examination of the published decree and of such statements as have been made by the Libyan Government we can only draw the conclusion that the taking of the property of B.P. Exploration (Libya) Limited is not a legitimate act of nationalisation because it is discriminatory against the company and for purposes which are not admissible in international law. We are of course supporting the company in its efforts to obtain redress.