HC Deb 20 December 1968 vol 775 cc503-4W
Mr. Cordle

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the commercial effect on British companies with investments in Nigeria of the new company law restricting their registration to Nigerian nationals.

Mr. Foley

British and other non-Nigerian companies operating in Nigeria are required under the decree to incor- porate locally if they wish to continue to do business there. Some trading firms will not find difficulty in meeting the requirements, but others, together with the commercial banks and insurance companies have special problems on which they have made representations. It is too early to attempt an estimate of the commercial effect of the new law. The British High Commissioner in Lagos has throughout kept in close touch with the firms concerned.