§ 2.43 p.m.
THE EARL OF SELKIRKMy 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 whether they propose to recognise the new Government of Ghana, and what action they propose to take to restore normality to trade relations between Britain and Ghana.]
1087EARL FERRERSMy Lords, Her Majesty's Government resumed normal relations with the National Redemption Council Government on January 28. There has been no break in trade relations between Britain and Ghana, but considerable uncertainty has been created by the recent statement by the Government of Ghana about Ghana's commercial debts.
THE EARL OF SELKIRKMy Lords, do I understand that the relations with Ghana are both de facto and de jure? And can the noble Earl say how much of Ghana's debts have been repudiated, whether the repudiation applies only to British debts and, if so, how much those debts are?
EARL FERRERSMy Lords, the position at present is that the statement which has been recently made by the Ghanaian Government is receiving the urgent attention of Her Majesty's Government. I am sure that the noble Earl will appreciate my reason for not wishing to say any more than that.
§ LORD LEATHERLAND My Lords, did I hear the noble Earl aright when he described the Ghana Government as the "National Redemption Government"? If so, could we have one of those in this country?