§ 5. Mr. Luceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he plans to visit Latin American countries.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Edward Rowlands)My right hon. Friend hopes to visit Latin America in the course of 1976.
§ Mr. LuceI warmly welcome that decision. In view of the great fund of good will towards Great Britain in the Latin American countries, and the great potential of stronger trade relationships between our respective countries, will the Minister say something about the trade agreement, signed recently in London, between Brazil and Great Britain? Is it the Government's intention to extend this kind of agreement to other countries in Latin America?
§ Mr. RowlandsThe agreement was a memorandum of understanding, which allowed an across-the-board dialogue on political, economic and industrial matters between ourselves and Brazil. We have close relationships with many Latin American countries. The form these relationships take will depend on the wishes of individual countries in Latin America.
§ Mr. FordIs my hon. Friend aware that many of our right hon. and hon. Friends welcome the initiative that he and the Government are taking towards Latin America? Are the Government proposing any special measures to encourage British industry to take advantage of the rebuilding of bridges which is taking place?
§ Mr. RowlandsYes. Our discussions with, in particular, the Venezuelan Foreign Minister and, last week, the Brazilian Foreign Minister dealt with these issues, and the way in which we are to develop technical, economic and industrial co-operation between our countries.