To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. David Lidington) of 13 January 2009, Official Report, columns 545-6W, on Libya: terrorism, whether the Prime Minister discussed with President Gaddafi the issue of compensation for UK victims of terrorism at their meeting on 9 July 2009; and if he will make a statement. (287558)

I am acutely aware of the pain caused by Libya's past actions and the victims of Irish Republican Army atrocities have the Government's whole hearted sympathy.

The Government continue to monitor the Libyan position on this matter, and raised it in discussions with Libyan Ministers as recently as February 2009. The Libyans maintain their firm view that they consider the matter closed. The Government therefore see no prospect of a bilateral agreement on this matter and I therefore did not raise this matter with the Libyan Leader.