§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received about the plight of the Ogoni people in the Rivers state of Nigeria; what view he has formed on this; and what representations he has made to the Nigerian Government.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe have received a number of representations on this matter f0rom hon. Members and 681W from the public. The problems in Rivers state are rooted in a complex set of issues. The Nigerian Government are fully aware, through our contacts with them, of the importance that we attach to human rights.
§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the Nigerian high commissioner; and what was discussed at that meeting.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met the Nigerian high commissioner to London briefly at the diplomatic banquet on 17 June. A wide range of issues are discussed in the course of regular diplomatic contacts with the high commissioner.
§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response he has made to the announcement by the Nigerian Government of its federal government political programme; and what steps he is taking to assist the work of the local government caretaker committee, the national constitutional conference, and other bodies established by the Nigerian authorities to prepare the ground for further movement towards democracy.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave her on 28 June,Official Report, columns 525–26. We are not familiar with the work of the local government caretaker committee. We do, however, welcome the start of the national constitutional conference, and hope to see firm progress towards democratic, civilian rule.