§ Mr. WinnickOn a point of order. I seek your guidance, Mr. Speaker.
On Monday, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Com 442 monwealth Affairs stated that he hoped soon to make a statement on emergency food supplies in connection with the Nigerian civil war. Yesterday, we were warned by the President of the International Red Cross that mass starvation in Biafra could take place within the next few days.
I ask you, Mr. Speaker, what action we in this House can take to try to have the matter raised in debate, or at Question Time or any other time, so that we can consider what action can be taken by Britain to try to stop the disaster which now seems to be taking place and will continue unless emergency food supplies reach the Biafran-held area?
I am not seeking to move the Adjournment of the House. I have sought to try to raise the matter in another way, but I am now seeking your guidance, Mr. Speaker, because it seems that the House should not remain impotent while there is a threat of mass starvation within the next few days in Nigeria.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I appreciate the hon. Gentleman's point. He does not need my assurance that the Chair, like everybody else in the House, shares his distress at human misery wherever it occurs in the world.
We had a Private Notice Question on this matter on Monday, and I refused an application under Standing Order No. 9 on Monday. We have business questions tomorrow. I have had no indication from the Foreign Secretary that he wishes to make a statement today. The hon. Gentleman will have an opportunity of pressing the point that he has raised with the Leader of the House during business questions tomorrow.