HC Deb 19 February 1996 vol 272 cc19-20W
Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the return of the British ambassador to Nigeria. [15564]

Mr. Hanley

After close consultations, European Union heads of mission returned to Lagos during January, including our high commissioner. He was sent back to reinforce our concerns about human rights and the transition timetable at the highest level.

Mr. Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of potential instability within Nigeria on neighbouring countries. [15565]

Mr. Hanley

We continue to monitor developments closely in Nigeria, including their possible impact on neighbouring countries.

Mr. Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is currently provided by Her Majesty's Government to west African countries bordering Nigeria. [15566]

Mr. Hanley

Cameroon benefits from a bilateral aid programme, focused on conservation of forestry and biodiversity and totalling some £2.3 million in 1995–96.

Niger, Chad, and Benin also receive UK aid, most notably through the joint funding scheme-£0.41 million in 1994–95.

The UK provides substantial assistance to all four countries through its contributions to multilateral aid, particularly EU aid, of which our share in 1994 was about £22 million.

30DA mine clearance actions since April 1993 (as at 15 February 1996)
£
Country Project 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96
Afghanistan Halo: Mine clearance and mine awareness in the Shomali Valley 416,131 223,087 275,000
Afghanistan UNOCHA: Minefield surveying, planning and management; mine awareness; clearance and clearance training 500,000 1,000,000 750,000
Angola MAG: Minefield survey and marking (4 months) Luena, Moxico province. Phase I (£223,243) and Phase II (£498,825) 722,068 300,000

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