HL Deb 27 May 1968 vol 292 cc958-9
LORD BEAUMONT OF WHITLEY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to safeguard British citizens resident in Biafra, in view of the fact that two business men, mistaken for mercenaries, were recently beaten up by Federal troops.]

LORD CHALFONT

My Lords, the Acting High Commissioner in Lagos last week sought and received renewed assurances from the Federal Nigerian Government that every effort would be made to safeguard British nationals in the secessionist areas. Representations were immediately made to the Federal authorities about the maltreatment of Mr. Blakely and Mr. Downing, and I am assured that strict instructions have been given to the troops concerned that expatriates should not be harmed.

LORD BEAUMONT OF WHITLEY

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his satisfactory Answer, may I ask whether we are co-operating with the other eight countries which have nationals in Biafra in the safeguarding of the interests of foreign nationals?

LORD CHALFONT

My Lords, our contact has been exclusively with the Federal authorities. We have given them lists of names of our nationals and their whereabouts, so far as they are known to us, and we have received the required assurances from the Federal authorities.