HC Deb 27 March 1972 vol 834 cc12-3
12. Mr. John Hannam

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what future visits to Latin American countries by Ministers are planned after March, 1972.

Mr. Godber

My right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade will be visiting Brazil and Chile next month. I hope myself to make a visit to Brazil later this year. Other ministerial visits to Latin America are under active consideration.

Mr. Hannam

I thank my right hon. Friend for that encouraging reply; I am sure we are all pleased at the increased number of visits being made to South America. Will my right hon. Friend impress upon the Prime Minister the value of his paying a visit to South America, possibly in conjunction with, or to link up with, one of the major trade fairs to take place in several of the countries of South America during the coming few years?

Mr. Godber

I shall convey my hon. Friend's views to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. He has very pressing engagements elsewhere and I could not commit him in advance.

Mr. Foley

Does the Minister of State intend to visit Guatemala in the near future? If not, will he make clear to the Government there the British Government's intention to maintain and preserve the territorial integrity of Belize?

Mr. Godber

I should be happy to respond to an invitation from the Guatemalan Government to visit Guatemala. I am happy to confirm that Britain is taking such actions as it deems necessary to ensure the continued protection of British Honduras.