HC Deb 08 December 1969 vol 793 cc6-9
3. Mr. Tilney

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further action he has taken recently to bring the Nigerian civil war to an end.

6. Mr. Barnes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his latest efforts to promote a cease-fire in the war between Nigeria and Biafra.

Mr. M. Stewart

I would refer to the reply which my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State gave on 13th October. The Government continue to press both sides to negotiate for a permanent settlement. As the House knows, my hon. Friend is at present in Nigeria.—[Vol. 788, 12–16.]

Mr. Tilney

Even if there were to be an international embargo on arms, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that this merciless war may drag on for a long time? As the O.A.U. appear to be powerless, will the right hon. Gentleman consult the United States and other powers to try to force a compromise on both sides and the acceptance of a peacekeeping force in the Ibo area so that they no longer need fear massacre?

Mr. Stewart

When the hon. Gentleman speaks about ourselves and the United States forcing a compromise on both sides, that is not a realistic way of approaching it. We and many others have done our best to bring both sides together. There is the possibility now of further African attempts at mediation, and it is particularly to these that we should give our support.

Mr. Barnes

Could my right hon. Friend say whether the Joint Under-Secretary has asked if he could visit Biafra? Is it not time that somebody in authority visited Biafra, especially if a cease-fire or relief are to be discussed?

Mr. Stewart

I do not rule out a visit of that kind. The House will understand that there is a difference between a private person, however eminent, visiting Biafra and a member of the Government visiting Biafra. It has not been the practice, except with those few Governments which recognise Biafra, for members of Governments to go there.

25. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much relief sent by Her Majesty's Government has reached unoccupied Biafra to date.

Mr. M. Stewart

Her Majesty's Government have given to the International Committee of the Red Cross £950,000 for use on both sides of the conflict. It is impossible, however, to say how much of the International Committee's expenditure in the rebel area is attributable to grants from Her Majesty's Government. As Parliament was informed on the 4th of December, we have decided, subject to Parliamentary approval, to make grants of £100,000 each to Oxfam and the British Council of Churches, also for use on both sides.—[Vol. 792, c. 351.]

Mr. Allaun

Will the Government give really massive aid, comparable with that given by other Western European countries, to Joint Church Aid, which alone is still flying food into Biafra? Secondly, will he consider transferring the vast stocks of food at Kotoneu to San Antonio and from there into Biafra?

Mr. Stewart

I have replied earlier about the difficulties attached to Joint Church Aid operations. I would point out that the help which we have already given is considerable and is available on both sides in the dispute.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

Will the Foreign Secretary give some consideration to the request by U.N.I.C.E.F. for extra aid?

Mr. Stewart

That goes a little wide of the orginal Question, but I will gladly consider it.

29. Mr. Molloy

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to initiate a meeting with Nigerian and Biafran leaders and other organisations involved to assure the continuance of all relief and mercy flights, and to promote a cease-fire and subsequent negotiations.

Mr. M. Stewart

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answers given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun) and to supplementary questions on 27th November.—[Vol. 792, c. 609–12.]

Mr. Molloy

Will my right hon. Friend take it that, notwithstanding some of the ill-informed, unjust and vulgar attacks on him by some sections of the ill-informed British Press, many of us understand his humanitarian endeavours to end this war and to bring relief, and we understand his fears for the Balkanisation of Africa, but will he agree that an effort ought now to be made to have Ministerial contact with both sides, particularly in the light of the statement made by Sir Louis Mbanefo to the effect that they are concerned not so much about sovereignty itself as about what that would mean as it affects the Biafrans?

Mr. Stewart

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for what he said at the beginning of his supplementary question. We are all anxious to secure, if it can possibly be done, both relief and an end to the war. If it be a question of providing the actual mechanical things needed for relief, this country and a good many others would be prepared to do anything within reason. The real and genuine difficulty is that, in order to secure relief, one has to secure a measure of agreement between the two sides in the civil war, which, unhappily, has not yet been forthcoming. We shall continue to do the best we can.

As regards the last point my hon. Friend made, I have seen the report of Sir Louis Mbanefo saying, in effect, that they are concerned not with secession or sovereignty but with security. I earnestly hope that that is true. It has been said before and, unhappily, denied. If it proves to be true, progress could, I believe, be made.

Mr. E. L. Mallalieu

Have not my right hon. Friend and the Government done all they can at all times to bring relief to starving peoples in all parts of Nigeria, in spite of obstruction by the Head of State of that part of Nigeria still occupied by him, namely, Ojukwu?

Mr. Stewart

I sincerely believe that that is and I assure the House that every time we debate this matter I listen most earnestly to see whether, from any quarter of the House, there comes any proposal which could be practicable either for bringing in relief or for ending the war. In my judgment, this country has acquitted itself well so far on both counts.