HL Deb 01 February 1977 vol 379 cc721-2

2.39 p.m.

Lord MERRIVALE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follow:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make a Statement on the recent visit to the Ivory Coast by Mr. Michael Meacher, M.P., Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade, particularly regarding further investment and trading prospects in and with that country, and regarding co-operation in shipping based on the principle of mutual interest fully reciprocated.

Lord ORAM

My Lords, my honourable friend's visit to the Ivory Coast at the beginning of last month was the first by any British Minister since that country's independence in 1960. He was most cordially received by the Head of State and the Ministers of Commerce, Finance, Plan and Marine affairs. We hope that this initiative, together with the recently announced Development Plan, will provide fresh opportunities for British firms for trade and investment. Regarding shipping matters, a British delegation recently went to West Africa and had talks with the Ivory Coast Government. The full delegation has not yet returned, and therefore I regret that I have not yet had an opportunity of finding out what conclusions were reached.

Lord MERRIVALE

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that Answer, noting that it took 17 years for a British Minister to go out to the Ivory Coast. Bearing in mind President Houphouët-Boigny's statement in November that the Ivory Coast is not a French chasse gardée, in other words protected area, that there is on the part of that country a desire to diversify their relationships and also to have closer links with this country, and also that Prince Charles will be visiting that country next month on an official visit, does not the noble Lord feel that Her Majesty's Government should encourage and assist businessmen to go out and to appreciate for themselves the opportunities for developing our economic and friendly relationships?

Lord ORAM

My Lords, in the recent exchanges it has been made very clear that increased British participation in the economy of the Ivory Coast would be greatly welcomed. I agree with the noble Lord that there are opportunities, and certainly Her Majesty's Government will do anything open to them to encourage increased trade between the two countries.

Lord MERRIVALE

My Lords, may I ask one further question of the noble Lord, as he mentioned that the Minister saw Mr. Lamine Fadika when he was there. On the question of the implementation of the joint communique to which the noble Lord referred in October last, may I ask whether there have been any further steps taken regarding the implementation of that communique? Further, was the question of the construction of 16,000 ton cargo vessels raised with him?

Lord ORAM

My Lords, my original Answer referred to a delegation which recently went to the Ivory Coast. That was as a result of the visit of Mr. Fadika, about which the noble Lord asked Questions before Christmas. In the talks which have recently been taking place, I understand that interest was shown in placing an order for three 16,000 ton cargo vessels. That is as far as I would wish to go about the matter; they were showing active interest.