HL Deb 26 January 1971 vol 314 cc835-6

3.37 p.m.

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I wonder whether I might intervene at this point to answer the Private Notice Question put down by the noble Lord, Lord Shepherd, in which he asked whether Her Majesty's Government will make a Statement regarding the safety of British nationals in Uganda.

My Lords, there has been no report of any injury to United Kingdom citizens or of damage to British property. The High Commissioner continues to be in touch with the British community.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Marquess for replying to that Private Notice Question. We must all have heard with very great concern and sympathy of the unfortunate events in Uganda during the last 48 hours. I think it would be wrong at this stage to press the Government any further as to any future action they may have in mind as a consequence of these events. Our immediate concern, and that of the Government, must be the safety of some 8,000 British nationals in Uganda. If I may say so to the noble Marquess, in anything said or done in relation to East Africa, in particular, and Africa as a whole, we must have in mind the safety of our people in Uganda.

I hope the noble Marquess will take careful note that, apart from the numbers of the business community in Uganda, there are many young people—nurses, teachers—who may need particular, special advice and perhaps encouragement in these difficult times. I have no doubt that the High Commission, and the High Commissioner in particular, have this in mind, and that we can rest confident that all that can be done will be done. But I hope that the Government will keep us informed of the safety and well-being of our people in Uganda during these difficult times.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, may I ask the Minister whether Her Majesty's Government will also take into consideration the many British citizens who are in Uganda—people who may not be British nationals but Asians—and who are already in difficult circumstances but have been promised all the rights of British citizenship?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

Yes, my Lords. I will certainly bear in mind what the noble Lord, Lord Shepherd, has said; and I completely endorse his remarks, and also those of the noble Lord, Lord Brockway. I will, of course, undertake to keep the House informed if there are any further serious developments. At the moment the indications are that life is returning to normal.