HC Deb 16 October 1968 vol 770 c379
52. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why quantities of arms have been sent to Federal Nigeria from the British armed forces in Germany during the last three months.

The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Air Force (Mr. Merlyn Rees)

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statements made by the Foreign Secretary and the Commonwealth Secretary in the debates on 12th June and 22nd July respectively.—[Vol. 766, c. 243; Vol. 769, c. 50.]

Mr. Allaun

But is it not a fact that British troop carriers and other weapons have been sent to Nigeria from Germany? If so, and I am sure that it is, why was there an attempt to conceal the fact?

Mr. Rees

As has been stated frequently, the Government are prepared to authorise the export of carefully controlled quantities of arms and ammunition of broadly the same types as we have supplied in the past. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary explained the basic policy underlying that.