§ 5. Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received regarding the level of United Kingdom diplomatic representation in Latin America.
§ Mr. FoulkesShould we not learn from recent events that it is important to keep in touch with the views of the people and Governments of the countries in this vast continent? Will the Government reconsider their decision not to have ambassadorial representation in Nicaragua?
§ Mr. OnslowWe have no plans to change the present arrangement whereby Her Majesty's ambassador in San Jose is accredited to Managua. The ambassador and his staff have made several visits to Nicaragua this year.
§ Mr. Bill WalkerDoes my hon. Friend agree that British representation in Latin American countries in the past has been largely through our trading links and that we have a good record of trading, other than arms trading?
§ Mr. OnslowI am grateful to my hon. Friend for what he said. Perhaps I may take this opportunity to pay a tribute—which I hope the whole House will endorse—to the staff of our missions throughout Latin America for the way in which they are carrying out their task in the current difficult circumstances.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisI accept and endorse what the Minister has just said about our diplomatic staff. Does he agree that there have been dramatically changed circumstances in Latin America, for obvious reasons, since the Government declared their policy with regard to ambassadorial status in Nicaragua in particular? Does he further agree that it is important, in view of those changing circumstances, to have somebody on the spot all the time?
§ Mr. OnslowI know that some members of the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs have expressed concern about the subject. If the Committee has specific recommendations to put to me when it completes its report on the visit to the area, I shall be willing to consider them.
§ Sir Anthony KershawI understand my hon. Friend's reservations about this particular embassy, but will he bear in mind that the annual cost of the embassy in San Jose is rather less than one torpedo?
§ Mr. OnslowI am sure that all relevant factors will be borne in mind.
§ Mr. SpearingIrrespective of the formal position concerning accreditation, does the Minister agree that it might be possible to have a permanent British presence in some of the smaller capitals at relatively low cost and so get the advantage of a listening post, which occasional visits cannot give?
§ Mr. OnslowIf it should seem to be of advantage to set up the kind of mini-mission that the hon. Gentleman suggests, we shall give favourable consideration to the idea.