HC Deb 01 July 1969 vol 786 cc233-4
Q2. Mr. Barnes

asked the Prime Minister if he will seek another opportunity to meet Colonel Ojukwu in view of the latest developments in the war in Nigeria.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

I have been asked to reply.

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister explained to the House after he returned from Nigeria on 3rd April, he would not rule out a meeting if he thought it would be helpful. That remains the position, but since that time there has been no indication to suggest that a meeting with Colonel Ojukwu would be helpful.—[Vol. 781, c. 651–4.]

Mr. Barnes

Is not much more required from Britain at present than the shuffling off of our involvement and a continual blaming of the Biafrans, as we got from the Foreign Secretary yesterday? Daylight flights there must surely be, but are the British Government prepared to demand that Nigeria allows the International Red Cross to carry out those daylight flights on the same basis as has been so successful in recent months?

Mr. Jenkins

I understand that meetings have been taking place both yesterday and today with a view to achieving these daylight flights, which we would certainly all like to see, but the exact results of the talks are not yet clear, although the indications are that it might be possible to get daylight flights.

Mr. Hugh Fraser

If the Prime Minister cannot meet Colonel Ojukwu, would it not be a good idea if the Foreign Secretary informed himself better about the situation inside Biafra by getting in touch with the Red Cross? Yesterday he said that there was no food shortage in Biafra at all, which was a most extraordinary thing to say.

Mr. Jenkins

I am assured that my right hon. Friend is in close touch with the Red Cross.