§ Mr. BarnesI beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely,
the effect of allowing the supply of arms from Britain to Nigeria to continue now that the peace talks at Kampala have broken down.The Kampala peace talks broke down at the beginning of the Whitsun weekend, just after the House had gone into recess, and this is, therefore, the first possible opportunity I have had to make this application.The breakdown of the peace talks at Kampala comes at a time when the war is moving into a guerrilla stage, and, if it is now pursued to a military conclusion, there is no doubt that civilian casualties will be even heavier than they have been so far. Even though peace talks may take place in London, I understand that it has been made clear to Sir Louis Mbanefo, the Biafran negotiator, that the British Government still intend to continue the supply of arms to Nigeria.
But, most important of all, during the year or so that has now passed since Biafra declared itself independent, there has been no opportunity for Members of the House to debate the situation that has arisen between Nigeria and Biafra, and, especially, no opportunities to debate the controversial decision of the British Government to continue the supply of arms to Nigeria. It has only been possible to put Questions to Ministers.
Finally, there can be no doubt that there is mounting public anxiety at the continued supply of British arms to Nigeria, as has been evidenced by the editorial tone in many newspapers.
I therefore beg to suggest that the breakdown of the peace talks at Kampala is sufficient reason for the House to have an emergency debate on this controversial aspect of Government policy.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman gave me notice this morning that he intended to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 9 for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely,
the effect of allowing the supply of arms from Britain to Nigeria to continue now that the peace talks at Kampala have broken down.I am satisfied that the matter raised by the hon. Gentleman is proper to be discussed under Standing Order No. 9. Does the hon. Gentleman have the leave of the House?
§ The leave of the House having been given—
§ Mr. SpeakerThe Motion for the Adjournment of the House will now stand over until the commencement of public business tomorrow, when a debate on the matter will take place for three hours. This is as provided for under the terms of the revised Standing Order No. 9 as agreed to by the House on 14th November, 1967.
§ The Motion stood over under Standing Order No. 9 (Adjournment on specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration) until the commencement of public business tomorrow.