§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what international discussions he has had on the possibility of freezing the assets and accounts of the members of the Nigerian military regime. [2597]
§ Mr. Hanley[holding answer 27 November 1995]: We continue to consult closely with Commonwealth, European Union and other United Nations partners on all aspects of our policy towards Nigeria. [2566]
§ Mr. LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policy in respect of Nigeria was agreed within the European Union on 20 November; and how the United Kingdom will implement it. [2598]
§ Mr. Hanley[holding answer 27 November 1995]: On 20 November the European Union adopted a common position introducing visa restrictions on civilian Ministers and their families, a full arms embargo and a suspension of non-humanitarian aid. The measures agreed on Nigeria in 1993 remain in force. New and existing measures will be strictly implemented by the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has received from, and what meetings it has held and on which dates, with the Nigerian-British Society since November 1993.
§ Mr. Hanley[holding answer 27 November 1995]: We are not aware of any such society. My noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development met a combined group from the British-Nigeria Association and the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce on 15 May, and held a meeting with representatives of the British-Nigeria Association on 24 August. Officials also have regular contact with these and other such organisations.
§ Mr. LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what instructions were issued to the high commission in Lagos to organise meetings with representatives of(a) Shell and (b) the Ogoni people; what meetings were organised; and if he will make a statement. [2292]
§ Mr. Hanley[holding answer 24 November 1995]: Our high commission in Lagos has had regular meetings with Shell, as it does with other companies operating in Nigeria 741W as a matter of routine. It has also had regular meetings with a wide variety of groups in Nigeria, including representatives of Ogoni groups.
§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the export of arms to Nigeria in the last two years; and what is the current policy. [2254]
Mr. Hartley[holding answer 24 November 1995]: Previous policy was set out in the answer given to the hon. Member for Clydebank and Milngavie (Mr. Worthington) on 2 December 1993 at column 676. On 11 November, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced a full UK arms embargo against Nigeria. On 20 November, the European Union agreed to strengthen existing restrictions on arms sales to Nigeria through a full arms embargo.