§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the proposals outlined by General Abubakar in his national broadcast on Tuesday 21 July. [52755]
§ Mr. Tony LloydWe welcome General Abubakar's commitment to the restoration of democratic civilian government by May 1999, after free and fair elections in early 1999. We also welcome his undertaking to respect human rights and democracy, including the release of the remaining political prisoners. This is the best news that we have had from Nigeria for a long time.
The time has now come to re-establish dialogue between Nigeria and Britain and the wider international community. We are working to secure the agreement of EU partners that members of the Nigerian Government should now be allowed to visit EU member states where that would help General Abubakar's programme and promote constructive dialogue.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to assist with arrangements for the international monitoring of the forthcoming Nigerian elections. [52758]
§ Mr. Tony LloydWe are considering, with our Commonwealth and other partners, how to respond to General Abubakar's invitation to observe the elections in Nigeria.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received from British industry concerning the situation in Nigeria. [52757]
§ Mr. Tony LloydI am in contact with a range of companies, either individually or through the West Africa Committee, who represent the majority of British companies active in Nigeria. A welcome has been expressed for recent positive developments in Nigeria.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the restoration of air services between Nigeria and the UK by British Airways. [52760]
§ Mr. Tony LloydI am pleased to announce that on 23 July General Abubakar, with immediate effect, lifted the ban on British Airways' flights to Nigeria.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what official contact the Government have had with the Head of State of Nigeria since the visit of the Minister of State. [52756]
§ Mr. Tony LloydMy right hon. Friend the Prime Minister spoke to General Abubakar by telephone on 24 July. He welcomed General Abubakar's statement of 20 July committing himself to the restoration of302W democratic civilian government by May 1999, after free and fair elections. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister re-iterated that Britain was ready to help Nigeria with the implementation of the programme. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister also thanked General Abubakar for resolving the air services dispute.