HC Deb 20 March 1969 vol 780 cc141-2W
Mr. Cordle

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will list the official visits to Nigeria made by members of Her Majesty's Government or by representatives of Her Majesty's Government, giving names and dates, since the outbreak of hostilities in that country.

Mr. Whitlock

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is visiting Nigeria at the invitation of General Gowon later this month. The following are the other principal visits since May, 1967:—

  • 7th–12th My, 1967, Mr. George Thomas (Minister of State for Commonwealth Affairs).
  • 26th February–9th March, 1968, Mr. Oram (Parliamentary Secretary for Overseas Development, to attend 4th Commonwealth Education Conference).
  • 20th–24th June, 1968, Lord Shepherd (Minister of State for Commonwealth Affairs).
  • 5th–19th July, 1968, Lord Hunt (as leader of British Relief Advisory Mission to Nigeria).
  • 24th–30th September, 1968, Lord Shepherd (Minister of State for Commonwealth Affairs).
  • 11th–17th December, 1968, Lord Shepherd (Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs).
  • 10th–12th March, 1969, Sir Denis Greenhill (Permanent Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office).

Since September, 1968, the United Kingdom has been represented on the international observer team which is in Nigeria at the invitation of the Federal Government to observe the conduct of the war.

Mr. Cordle

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received from the international observers in Nigeria; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Whitlock

The International Observer team which is observing the conduct of Federal Nigerian forces engaged in the war has now issued a further report on its activities during the period 14th January—6th March, 1969. Copies of this report, the findings of which are consistent with those of earlier reports, have been placed in the Library of the House.