House of Commons
Parliament

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Shadow foreign office minister Fabian Hamilton echoes Labour's Kate Hoey and says this is "not a party political issue".

He says it is important that the UK does not forget those who are still suffering today from the impact of these terror attacks.

Since 2004 "there have been a series of mised opportunities to sort out the issue of compensation once and for all", he says, adding that there is importance in pressing upon the legitimate Libyan government of the importance of compensation.

Since 2011 Libya has descended into civil war, which complicates the process of getting compensation, he adds.

He tells MPs that the UK's position of asking individuals to seek compensation from Libya is at odds with the stance taken by France, Germany and the US, who were all more assertive in getting compensation.

House of Commons
Parliament

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The SNP's Patrick Grady says that 20 years after the Good Friday Agreement, there is still no moves for the victims of IRA terrorism.

He says he has found the government "lacking" in bringing about compensation for victims of these terror attacks.

"Now is the time for the government to act," he adds.

House of Commons
Parliament

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The DUP's Jim Shannon asks why a British policeman who worked in the aftermath of a London bombing was not treated as well as an American citizen who happened to be visiting the city.

"Government, at the very highest level, and all of us, must do better for the innocent victims," he states.

He says it is time that the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office looked at the cases of Libyan money in the UK.

"Minister, I look to you," he says.

Westminster Hall

Culture Minister Michael Ellis says the decision regarding the new HQ location "is a matter for Channel 4", not the government.

Mr Ellis says it is clear that the channel should have a "major presence" outside of London and "reflect the voices that live outside the capital".

The minister tells MPs the new location for Channel 4 will be announced by the autumn, with staff moving by the end of 2019.

Westminster Hall

Shadow arts and heritage minister Kevin Brennan says all cities are "worthy candidates" for Channel 4's new location.

Mr Brennan says he is pleased about the "clarity" of Channel 4's role as a public broadcaster and this move showcases the government's commitment to it.

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House of Commons
Parliament

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Labour's Jim Fitzpatrick says that he knows that the minister on the frontbench - Alistair Burt - is "knowing and sympathetic of the cause".

He adds that some have died while waiting for their compensation. He states that there are "billions of pounds of Libyan assets frozen in UK bank accounts" accumulating interest.

He says that in 2011, the approximate value was £7.5bn, while in 2016 this had become £11.7bn in Libyan assets in the UK.

He says that many do not accept the government's view that these funds cannot be accessed.

House of Commons
Parliament

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Conservative James Cartlidge says that "what really struck me about that case" when he was arguing for a constituent caught up in the 1983 bombing of Harrods, was the Foreign Office informing him that an American citizen caught up in the same attack was compensated to the "tune of several millions of pounds".

He asks what the British government is doing for British citizens killed on British soil.

Westminster Hall

You might have noticed that no Conservative MPs have contributed to this debate so far.

This is due to the fact that the cities in the UK that are bidding to host Channel 4's new HQ are mainly represented by Labour and SNP MPs.

Westminster Hall

Labour's York MP Rachael Maskell says Channel 4 coming to her city would be a "global opportunity for the broadcaster".

Making the case for the city, Ms Maskell says York has "seven million visitors a year" and its connectivity is "like no other" with the East Coast mainline enabling access to London within two hours.

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House of Commons
Parliament

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Opening the debate, Conservative Laurence Robertson says that both Labour and Conservative governments have failed to raise the issue of compensation for victims, especially at a time when the relationship between the UK and Libya became strong during the early 2000s.

He says that in 2004, it was announced that Shell had obtained drilling rights off the coast of Libya, but there was still no compensation for victims.

The situation is more "disheartening" when compared with the fact that American, French and German governments have all managed to secure compensation for their citizens, he adds.

He asks the government to explore the option of using Libyan assets frozen in the UK to compensate victims.

House of Lords
Parliament

A Conservative former minister, Lord Faulks, warns that defining whiplash in legislation would enable fraudulent claimants to try to get around it.

He says: "We have to accept that we are dealing with a very slippery and powerful opposition in trying to pin down this particular racket.

"Whiplash injuries have a particular attraction for fraudsters as they are very difficult to prove or disprove on medical analysis."

Ministry of Justice spokesman Lord Keen of Elie responds that the government is trying to "address an issue that involves reconciling a legal understanding of this matter with a medical definition".

He highlights that the use of regulations would allow for future flexibility in the system.

House of Commons
Parliament

MPs now move to a backbench business debate on compensation for relatives of the victims of Libyan-sponsored IRA terrorism.

Former Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi supplied arms to the IRA and, during the Troubles, Libyan Semtex plastic explosive was a key weapon in the group's bombing campaign.

The motion calls for funds from Libyan assets frozen in the UK to be used to set up a compensation fund and finance community support programmes.

Previous calls for such a fund made by MPs on the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee have been rejected by the government.

House of Commons
Parliament

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Economic Secretary to the Treasury John Glen says any business affected "should be compensated", adding that he has heard stories this afternoon where people have "been badly let down".

"RBS have committed to setting up an independent appeal process" for claims, he says.

"RBS have also agreed to stand aside from any money that might be returned", he adds.

He says an investigation from the FCA should be completed within the next three months. The FCA has published a consultation paper on expanding the remit of the Financial Ombudsman, he adds.

Westminster Hall

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Labour MP and newly elected mayor of the Sheffield City Region Dan Jarvis jokes that the relocation debate has become a "beauty contest".

He says digital companies in his city boast "one of the highest growth rates" anywhere in the UK.

"Sheffield is a perfect fit for Channel 4, and Channel 4 is a perfect fit for Sheffield" says Mr Jarvis.

House of Commons
Parliament

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Shadow chief Treasury secretary Jonathan Reynolds says the debate today has been "sobering" and reiterates Labour's call for a public inquiry.

The government response "has fallen too short," he states.

He says there are concerns from Labour between the FCA review of the situation and the "heavily sanitised" final FCA report on GRG practices.

"We need to solve this crisis of trust in business banking," he adds.

Westminster Hall

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Labour MP for Birmingham Northfield Richard Burden says the West Midlands would be the "least disruptive option" for Channel 4's new location, citing its proximity to London and the availability of studio and production spaces in both Birmingham and Coventry.

"If Channel 4 want to reflect the United Kingdom of tomorrow, look at the West Midlands today and get closer to it", he urges.

House of Commons
Parliament

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The SNP's economy spokeswoman Kirsty Blackman says the wife of one of her constituents suffered a cardiac arrest and died from the ongoing stress of dealing with the fallout from GRG.

"This was a relentless pursuit of profit," she says, agreeing with the need for a public inquiry.

"This has destroyed lives," she tells MPs.

The time for talking about this is over, she adds, saying that it is time for the government to take action.

Westminster Hall

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SNP MP Stewart Malcolm MacDonald says Channel 4 is one of the UK's most "precious broadcasting assets".

The expansion will "deepen" Channel 4's relationship with viewers, he says.

Making the case for Glasgow to be its new home, Mr MacDonald highlights the city's diversity and says "if Channel 4 were a city, it would be the city of Glasgow".

House of Commons
Parliament

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Labour's Chris Ruane says that despite numerous complaints to many regulators by his constituent, investigations have not been forthcoming.

He says there have been "undisclosed conflicts of interest" in his constituent's case, as well as accusations of "conspiracy to defraud", "misrepresentation" and "breaches of trust".

"These are serious charges, serious allegations that have gone on for 15 years," he says and he asks for the minister to meet him to try to resolve it.

Westminster Hall

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MPs will debate the relocation of Channel 4 in Westminster Hall this afternoon.

Channel 4 has reached a deal with the government to move hundreds of staff out of London and create a new “national HQ” in another city – but it will not sell its £100m base in London.

The broadcaster has laid out a plan to move 300 of its 800 staff out of the capital next year. It currently employs only about 30 staff outside London.

Glasgow, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield are some of the cities bidding to host the new HQ.

A decision is expected towards the end of 2018.

This debate has been tabled by Glasgow South MP Stewart MacDonald, who will argue that MPs should have the chance to make a pitch for their own cities.