Nigeria (Hansard, 24 October 1967)

§ 14. Mr. Biffen
asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has to protect British personnel and investments in Nigeria, in view of the present dispute between Biafra and the Nigerian Federal authorities.

§ 26. Mrs. Joyce Butler
asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the situation between the Federal Government and Biafra in Nigeria as it affects British interests.

§ Mr. George Thomson
We have had to advise United Kingdom nationals, for their own safety, to leave those parts of Nigeria which have been the scene of 1487 fighting. Inevitably some British property has been at risk. We have kept in close touch with the Nigerian authorities in these matters.

§ Mr. Biffen
Is it not clear that the vacillation of Her Majesty's Government has resulted in our having the worst of all worlds in that we are repudiated by the Biafrans and the Federal authorities? Can the right hon. Gentleman say that he is fully satisfied that the considerable British investments particularly in Biafra are not being put unnecessarily at risk?

§ Mr. Thomson
The hon. Member is quite wrong in the assumption that he makes in the first part of that supplementary question. We have not had the worst of both worlds. We recognise the Federal military Government of Nigeria and we have operated on that basis. I have to tell the hon. Member that the reports that I have had from the Mid-West are that damage to British property there has not been extensive, but it is too early yet to make any statement about what is happening to British property in Eastern Nigeria.

§ Mrs. Butler
As the safety of British nationals as well as the future of the country depend upon bringing the conflict to an end quickly, could my right hon. Friend say whether he has made any attempts to obtain mediation between the two sides, particularly from somebody who is trusted by the Biafrans who are dominated by their fear of a repetition of the massacre and reprisals last year?

§ Mr. Thomson
There are other Questions on this subject and I shall, therefore, confine myself to saying that Her Majesty's Government have always been ready to do anything they can to help to end the war and start talks.

§ 20. Mr. Tilney
asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what help he has offered to Nigeria towards bringing the civil war there to an end.

§ Mr. George Thomson
We are ready to consider any proposal which the Nigerians make for our help in promoting peace talks or in any other way. I have stated this publicly outside this House as well as in private exchanges with the Federal Government.

§ Mr. Tilney
With so many friends of Britain on both sides of this insane civil war, which is bringing great carnage and loss to all in Nigeria and to great British interests there, will the Secretary of State back up any mediation on the part of Heads of African States and also offer troops to keep the ring should there be a referendum on the frontiers of some of the new 12 States?

§ Mr. Thomson
As one among many in this country who is an old friend of Nigeria, I warmly endorse the first words uttered by the hon. Gentleman. I assure him that, if there were any suggestion of effective help which we could give, we should certainly respond to it. We have warmly welcomed the initiative of the O.A.U. I am sorry that this has been delayed, but I understand that it is now likely to take place in the early part of November.