§ 46. Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the breakdown of talks between the Nigerian Federal Government and the Government of Biafra, he will reconsider Her Majesty's Government's policy in respect of arms shipments to Nigeria.
§ Mr. WhitlockWe deeply regret that the Kampala peace talks were broken off at a time when there seemed to be a possibility of their making some progress. I understand, however, that the talks were suspended or adjourned, rather than abandoned, and it must be the hope of18W all of us that it will be possible for them to be resumed soon. The Federal delegation who were prepared to continue the talks in Kampala, have made it clear that they are ready to reopen discussions whenever the other side wish. We do not think it would be helpful in these circumstances to alter our arms policy although, as the Commonwealth Secretary made clear in the House on 21st May (HANSARD Col. 264), we would be very ready to suspend deliveries if this were agreed on both sides.