HC Deb 27 February 1958 vol 583 cc524-5
21. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will specify the purpose of the forthcoming official visit to Nigeria of the Minister of State, Board of Trade; which parts of Nigeria he will visit; and what are the particular aspects of trade, industry and commerce into which he will inquire; and when he will report to this House the results of his visit.

Sir D. Eccles

As the hon. and learned Member was informed in reply to his Question on 30th January, the Minister of State is going to visit Nigeria to see for himself what further steps could be taken to expand our trade there. He will visit Lagos, the regional capitals, and important commercial and industrial centres throughout the country.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that many of the problems that should have been solved by the United Kingdom Government while Nigeria was still a Colony have been left over, and that that will place undue burdens on Nigeria when it achieves self-government in 1960? Will he instruct his Minister of State to address his mind to those problems, with a view to solving them before self-government is achieved?

Sir D. Eccles

My hon. Friend is going there to look into Anglo-Nigerian trade, and I have no doubt that his visit will be very useful.