§ 19. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Overseas Development how many British doctors have volunteered to help in medical relief work in Nigeria; and how many have been accepted by the Nigerian Federal Government, to the latest convenient date.
§ Mrs. HartMy Ministry received 83 offers from British doctors to serve in Nigeria. At the request of the Nigerian authorities, 15 British doctors were sent to Nigeria between 18th and 27th January to assist in relief work. No further requests for this purpose have been received, but the possibility of our providing further British doctors and other medical staff for hospitals outside the East Central State is currently under discussion with the Nigerian authorities.
§ Mr. AllaunIs my right hon. Friend aware that, according to the relief agen- 594 cies, no fewer than 500 British doctors volunteered and only 20 were accepted? I understand that the need is still great. Will she ask General Gowon to utilise more British doctors?
§ Mrs. HartThroughout the Nigerian relief operation, it has been a matter of our making ourselves ready to respond to whatever request General Gowon made. In considering the need for medical staff in Nigeria, one has to bear in mind that in the last couple of months there has been a dramatic return of Ibo doctors to their medical work in the areas most affected. No doubt that has had a marked effect on the demands from other countries which General Gowon wished to express.
§ 20. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she is satisfied that aid to the war-stricken areas of Nigeria has been received in the most needy areas and what further aid she proposes.
§ Mrs. HartYes, Sir. I am satisfied that British aid for relief and rehabilitation is being used for these purposes and in the area for which it was intended. Further requests for relief and rehabilitation aid have very recently been received from the Nigerian authorities and are under discussion. I should like to take this opportunity of informing the House that as from the beginning of April, my Ministry will become responsible for relief as well as rehabilitation and reconstruction aid to Nigeria.
§ Mr. AllaunAs there are sharply conflicting accounts of the situation, will my right hon. Friend ask the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary to request the Federal Government to remove their ban on independent newspaper journalists in the area?
§ Mrs. HartThis has to be a matter for the Nigerian authorities. I can assure my hon. Friend that all the reports that I have had—and he has probably seen one or two recent reports in The Times and The Guardian from Sir William Pike and the Rev. Hugh Thomas—indicate that the position is a good deal better than some alarmist reports have suggested.
§ Mr. CordleIs the right hon. Lady aware that those of us who had the privilege of going into the enclave and 595 the distressed war areas know that matters are good and well attended to by the Nigerian Red Cross and that there is no cause for alarm or complaint? Is it not about time that we in this House ceased to criticise the Nigerian Government for the aid which they are giving to the distressed areas which, at present, they are doing extremely well?
§ Mrs. HartI am very glad to hear what the hon. Member says. Anxieties are understandable, of course. I agree that the reliable reports we have are enough to convince us that things are going as well as we should hope.