(SO)HK.
Oral Answers
17 APRIL 1969
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Umuahia. In the absence of any authori- tative information I should not like to comment on this. This has been a most brutal war, and civil wars unfortunately carry with them a degree of brutality going even beyond what the modern world knows by international war.
Mr. Heath: If I may press the Prime Minister on this, with reference to his earlier reply, while this ghastly conflict goes on, arms are going to both sides and it is understandable that during a cease- fire, possibly, arms would continue to go to both sides. But at least it would give the opportunity for a mediator, or both sides directly, trying to get some sort of interim settlement. Is it not worth con- centrating on this rather than abandoning the hope of a cease-fire because it is known that we cannot get an international arms agreement?
The Prime Minister: I recognise this as a respectable argument, and one which might very well be applicable in many other situations. If a cease-fire were necessary to get negotiations I think that the right hon. Gentleman's case would be even stronger than I know he feels it to be. The plain fact is that the Nigerian Federal Government are unlikely 17.4.64. to agree, and I think it would be un- Cols.
3 copies sent to Hong Kong 18/4/69.
reasonable to ask them to agree, to a cease-fire-alone-if, when they feel that they are making substantial military pro- 1331-34. gress, a cease-fire could be used for a unilateral build-up of arms to redress the Vol.781. present arms and military imbalance.
What the Federal Government expressed to me, and I told the House, was their willingness to sit down, now, today, to- morrow, with Colonel Ojukwu or his representatives to discuss a settlement. That is possible, even without a cease- fire.
Mr. Thorpe : Since today's reports indi cate that the Red Cross is evacuating Umuahia because it is under fire; can we not take some initiative to try to step up the number of international ob- servers and, albeit to put them in a very hazardous position, to try to get them on both sides of the line?
The Prime Minister: This is what I spent a lot of time trying to deal with when I was there. I discussed it with international observers and it was cet- tainly one of the things that I would hav
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Hong Kong Police wished to discuss with Colonel Ojukwu. Many of his own claims, which he has a right to demand should be investigated- some of them have been quoted in this House-could have been investigated in many cases if we had had international observers on the other side of the fighting line. It became impractical and in the event, regrettably, I was not able to meet with Colonel Ojukwu.
ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE AND AUXILIARY POLICE FORCES
The following Written Question stood upon the Order Paper :
Lieut.-Commander MAYDON asked the Prime Minister if he will consider whether the Hong Kong Police Force should be accorded some mark of distinc- tion in recognition of the loyal and out- standing services rendered by the Force over the years.
The Prime Minister: With permission I will now answer Unstarred Question No. 42.
I am most grateful to the hon. and gallant Member for raising this matter. I am glad to be able to inform the House that Her Majesty The Queen has been graciously pleased to accord the title "Royal" to the Hong Kong Police and Auxiliary Police Forces. In addi- tion, Her Royal Highness, Princess Alexandra, has consented to accept, in an honorary capacity, the appointment of Commandant General of the two forces.
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Lieut.-Commander Maydon : In thanking the Prime Minister for that Reply, may I say that I am sure that there will be widespread delight at Her Majesty's gracious decision in this matter, and that that pleasure will be echoed by the loyal subjects of Hong Kong, both of British and Chinese stock? May 1 add that it is a rare honour for a police force to receive, the only other which comes to my mind is that of the Royal Canadian Police-
Mr. McNamara: And the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
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Lieut.-Commander Maydon : not that honour enhanced by the accep- tance of Her Royal Highness, Princess Alexandra, of the honorary rank of Commandant-General of the Royal Hong
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