§ 13. Mr. HANNONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will communicate to the House an outline of the scope of the investigations to be undertaken by the British Economic Mission to South America which leaves this country on 2nd August, and the countries which the mission proposes to visit; and what preliminary arrangements have been made to facilitate the work of the mission?
§ Mr. GILLETT (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)The British Economic Mission to South America has been appointed to consider Anglo-Argentine and Anglo-Brazilian relations, industrial, commercial and financial, with a view to their development in the mutual advantage of the respective countries. The mission is investigating in this country the general aspects of our economic relations with Argentina and Brazil prior to its departure for South America. Preliminary arrangements for facilitating the work of the mission abroad are being made by His Majesty's representatives in the countries to be visited, while the representatives in London of the Governments of those countries are also giving their hearty cooperation. The mission will visit Uruguay in the interval between the visits to Argentina and Brazil.
§ Mr. HANNONCan the hon. Gentleman say whether the Mission will give attention to the extent to which British manufactured goods are now being competed against in South America?
§ Mr. GILLETTI understand that full powers have been given to the Commission to investigate every possible aspect of trade and industry.
§ Mr. MATTERSWill the hon. Member consider the advisability of sending a similar Mission to visit the important West Coast republics, Chili, Peru, Bolivia and Venezuela?