HL Deb 16 January 1980 vol 404 cc108-9

2.40 p.m.

Lord BOYD-CARPENTER

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 whether the Nigerian Government has yet put forward proposals to compensate British interests for the oil and other properties seized by it last summer.

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, as I told the noble Lord on 8th November, BP are in touch with the Nigerian authorities. Her Majesty's Government are also in contact with the new Nigerian Government on this question. I would prefer not to say more at this stage.

Lord BOYD-CARPENTER

My Lords, is not my noble friend and is not the Foreign Office a little concerned, if this oil-rich country can help itself to British property and put forward no proposals for compensation for six months, that this may be a considerable encouragement to other countries where there are British investments to behave similarly?

Lord TREFGARNE

Yes, of course, my Lords. We deeply deplore the original action taken by the Nigerian Government. However, I would point out that there is now a new Government in Nigeria. We are in touch with the new Government and we hope to make progress soon.

Lord BOYD-CARPENTER

My Lords, does my noble friend recall that he used this argument about the new Government two and a half months ago? Is he therefore aware that it is now two and a half months older?

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, we were not in touch with the new Government when I spoke from this Box on the subject a while ago, but we are now in touch with the new Government.