§ 19. Mr. PopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet representatives of the Nigerian Government to discuss the situation in Nigeria. [872]
§ Mr. HanleyWe have no such plans.
§ Mr. PopeDoes the Minister accept that, if the British Government's arms and visa sanctions against the brutal Nigerian regime had been even remotely successful, there would have been no need to come back and announce further measures? Will he give the House an assurance that the visa controls currently in place regarding Nigeria will, at the very least, ensure that members of the brutal, vicious Nigerian Government are not allowed to enter or re-enter the United Kingdom?
§ Mr. HanleyUnder the present immigration rules, it has not been possible to cancel or revoke existing visas, but the Home Office has been notified of the EU decision and all members of the Nigerian provisional ruling and federal ruling council will now be refused entry to the United Kingdom even if they hold valid multiple entry visas issued before the new EU restrictions were agreed. I am sure that that comes as a comfort to the hon. Gentleman and other hon. Members.