HC Deb 09 April 1968 vol 762 cc1053-5
2. Mr. James Davidson

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the situation of those United Kingdom citizens isolated in Biafra; and if he will make a statement.

15. Mr. Buchanan-Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to ensure the safety of United Kingdom citizens in Biafra; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. George Thomson

Since the reply given on 12th February to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Mr. Tilney), a number of our nationals who decided to leave have been able to do so and are now back in this country. We have still no direct means of keeping in touch with those who, despite our advice to leave in the past, have chosen to remain, but there is an International Red Cross team working in the area.

We have drawn the Federal Nigerian Government's attention to our concern for the safety of those British nationals still living in areas which may become involved in the fighting. The Federal Nigerian Government have undertaken to notify their military commanders accordingly.

Mr. Davidson

Precisely how many British citizens are still isolated in Biafra? Has any consideration been given to the offer which I made orally to the Minister of State on behalf of Caledonian Airways to send in an aircraft, if approved by the Government, to take out the British citizens stranded there?

Mr. Thomson

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his constructive offer of help. I do not think that this is the real problem. There are about 110 British nationals still in Eastern Nigeria. Most of these are missionaries, and our opinion is that they do not at present wish to leave. Indeed, some of the 110 have gone out to Biafra only recently.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I am sure that the Secretary of State realises the deep interest which there is in Scotland in what goes on in Biafra, on account of the work of the Church of Scotland there over very many years. What are the Government doing to prevent the bombing of Scottish mission hospitals and missions schools, particularly in view of what happened recently at the Mary Slessor Hospital at Itu?

Mr. Thomson

I appreciate the concern there is in Scotland and throughout Britain about the tragic civil war in Nigeria. On the latter point, a civil war brings some very ugly incidents on both sides and the right thing to do is to direct all one's energies to trying to bring it to an end. There are other Questions on the Order Paper about this, but I assure the hon. Gentleman that we are doing all we can about it.

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