HC Deb 25 October 1995 vol 264 cc1015-6
16 Mr. Jacques Arnold

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Britain's relations with Brazil. [36868]

Sir Nicholas Bonsor

I am delighted to be able to tell my hon. Friend that our relations with Brazil are excellent.

Mr. Arnold

In developing the theme of transatlantic co-operation, will my hon. Friend bear in mind the importance of Brazil, one of the largest of the Atlantic nations with a GDP greater than that of Spain, and a country in which we take a considerable amount of interest? In taking forward discussions with Brazil, will he give a thought to inviting to this country next year President Cardoso, the new anglo-phile President of Brazil, who would help considerably with the development of that theme?

Sir Nicholas Bonsor

I congratulate my hon. Friend on instigating the debate last week which went in some depth into our relationship with Brazil. To elaborate slightly today, what he says about trade is absolutely right. United Kingdom exports to Brazil have reached record levels, exceeding £500 million in 1994 and up 56 per cent. this year. We also have an investment programme in Brazil worth £1.93 billion, and we signed an investment promotion and protection agreement in July 1994, demonstrating the depth of our commitment to that country.

With regard to the visit, I regret that I cannot give any specifics to my hon. Friend, but Her Majesty's. Government very much hope that President Cardoso will visit us again, as he did for the world war 2 celebrations.

Mr. Purchase

Should it not be a feature of our developing relationship with Brazil constantly to draw attention to the growing difference between wealth and poverty there, which can be witnessed on the streets of Rio and, indeed, to the environmental problems that are developing as a result of the massive industrialisation and privatisation programmes, as witnessed by the state of the waterways, on which one can almost walk due to the effluent that is discharged into them? Is not it right that, in our relationships with such countries, particularly Brazil, we should emphasise the problems that arise?

Sir Nicholas Bonsor

The hon. Gentleman is right. We must not lose sight of the conditions of the poor in Brazil, particularly the street children, and of other human rights abuses, which are, of course, not limited to Brazil, but are a problem in many areas of Latin America. We concentrate on such matters in discussions with the Brazilian authorities. We also try to offer assistance in solving the problem of the Brazilian street children.