Commons Row On Arms Supply

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31770, 29 August 1968, Page 11

Commons Row On Arms Supply

(N.Z-P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

LONDON, August 28.

Members of Parliament seeking to end Britain’s arms supplies to Federal Nigeria brought a House of Commons debate on the civil war to a chaotic conclusion yesterday.

In unprecedented scenes of uproar, spectators joined the chorus of members’ disgust as the last Government speaker, Mr William Whitlock, talked out the debate and frustrated back-benchers* attempts to force a vote. Two coloured men were escorted out of the public gallery in the closing minutes and attendants quickly moved in to prevent scuffles. Some members remained in the debating chamber to vent their anger on Government ministers before they left. Mr Whitlock, visibly paled

by the ordeal, had pressed on with his speech to the agreed closure time amid mounting protests and shouts of “shame” and “shocking." Furious members of the Labour Party, who had signed a motion urging Britain and other nations supplying weapons to Nigeria to agree on a joint ban, were among those who interrupted Mr Whitlock.

Earlier, the Commonwealth Secretary, Mr George Thomson, had brought no hope to the critics that Britain’s arms policy would be changed. He argued that if Britain eut off supplies, Russia would be only too willing to fill the gap and gain influence in Lagos. Mr Thomson said Britain was not sending military aircraft or bombs to the Federal forces, who were gaining the bulk of their weapons elsewhere. The British Government, later announced further relief aid to Nigeria in addition to the £270,000 already given. A child medical care unit would be set up at Enugu and a grant of up to £lOO,OOO would be used to repair roads, bridges and public services damaged in the fighting, the Overseas Development Ministry said. About 500 Biafran demonstrators hurled bottles and fought with police outside the Prime Minister’s official London residence in protest against Britain’s refusal to halt arms supplies to Nigeria. As police struggled to force back the demonstrators, an effigy of the Prime Minister was set on fire and Biafrans did a war dance around it. Three windows in the house were broken.