HC Deb 16 July 1968 vol 768 cc200-2W
73. Mr. John Lee

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the progress of British initiative to achieve a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Nigeria.

Mr. George Thomson

I have nothing to add at present to my statement to the House on 2nd July. It appears from Colonel Ojukwu's public statements that he is not yet prepared to take up the opportunity which I am convinced exists for meaningful contacts between the two sides about a return to the negotiating table. I am considering what further steps can be taken to contribute to initiatives here and elsewhere in the search for agreement.—[Vol. 767, c. 1307–9.]

76. Mr. Barnes

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the negotiations that have taken place to enable Lord Hunt to gain entrance to Biafra.

Mr. George Thomson

Her Majesty's Government's gift of up to a quarter of a million pounds which I announced on 2nd July is designed for the relief of suffering in all parts of Nigeria. Naturally it was our intention that Lord Hunt should visit the main areas of distress, regardless of which side of the fighting line they are on, in order to make comprehensive recommendations to the Government.

Permission for visits to both sides was sought accordingly, but whereas full cooperation was promised by the Federal Government, Colonel Ojukwu said at first that he saw no value in Lord Hunt visiting the area under his control. Nevertheless, I am still hopeful that at least one member of Lord Hunt's team may be able to make the journey, for which the International Red Cross have promised to assist in making the practical arrangements.

77. Mr. Barnes

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the discussions he has had with the Federal Government of Nigeria regarding the circumstances in which they will permit daytime flights by Oxfam and the Red Cross from Fernando Po direct into Biafra.

Mr. George Thomson

Lord Hunt has been in close touch with both the Federal Government and the International Red Cross about an emergency air lift of supplies as an interim measure pending the establishment of a land route which the International Red Cross have stated can alone meet the need on an adequate scale. The Federal Military Government are understandably concerned with the need for safeguards by the International Red Cross to ensure that an emergency airlift is not used for other purposes than relief. Oxfam are co-ordinating their efforts with the International Red Cross who already operate night flights as opportunity offers from Fernando Po.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether, following the success of the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund in getting Supplies through to Nigeria, he will see whether this channel might be used to send further supplies from the United Kingdom.

Mr. George Thomson

Her Majesty's Government's policy follows the expressed wish of the Nigerian Government that emergency relief should be channelled through the International Red Cross. I understand that the Secretary-General of the United Nations follows a similar policy and that aid from U.N.I.C.E.F. is being distributed accordingly.

Sir C. Osborne

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs, in view of results of the Shepherd Mission to Lagos and the continued starvation and increasing number of deaths in Biafra, if he will now stop all supplies of arms to Nigeria.

Mr. George Thomson

I do not accept that the results of Lord Shepherd's visit to Lagos at the end of June would in any way justify a change of policy as sug- gested. On the contrary, Lord Shepherd was able to establish a number of important points on which Federal co-operation and assurances were made public, as I informed the House in my statement on 26th June