§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement about the efforts made by Her Majesty's Government to seek to end the war and starvation in Biafra; and what information he has obtained about the 206W children in Biafra whose mothers are resident in this country.
§ Mr. FoleyHer Majesty's Government have repeatedly tried to open a way for peace in Nigeria and remain ready to seize any promising opportunity. At present the Organisation of African Unity is seeking a reconciliation and we support its efforts. Relief work is being co-ordinated by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Nigerian Red Cross Society. Her Majesty's Government have so far spent or committed £270,000 towards the relief effort. This has been devoted to purposes in line with the recommendations of Lord Hunt and his colleagues and in consultation with the International Red Cross.
I have little information about children in the area of Nigeria held by the secessionists whose mothers are in this country, but I will gladly consider whether I can assist in any cases on which the hon. Lady has information.