§ Lord HATCH of LUSBYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have yet considered the status of British diplomatic representation in Conakry, Guinea.
§ Lord TREFGARNEMy Lords, the question of our diplomatic representation in Guinea has been under review and the Government will give the matter further consideration later this year. We welcome the positive trend in our bilateral relations and are pleased to note the increased interest in Guinea being shown by our businessmen.
§ Lord HATCH of LUSBYMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer, may I ask whether he is aware that I asked a similar Question of the previous Government and was given virtually the same Answer? Is he further aware that the opportunities for British business, for investment and for cooperation with the Guinea Government in the exploration and development of minerals in particular is very ripe today in Guinea, that the door will not remain open for ever, and that here is an opportunity for British enterprise in this very promising country?
§ Lord TREFGARNEMy Lords, we are aware that there are increasing prospects for our businessmen in Guinea. There are difficulties, however, first of all, in the face of opening a new mission in Guinea. As I think the noble Lord knows, our affairs there are presently looked after by the Ambassador in Dakar, 710 Senegal, and we also have a permanently accredited Consul in Guinea. As regards trade, the noble Lord may know also that our exports to Guinea in recent years have been rising and the figure last year was C5½, million. We imported from Guinea some £476,000 in goods. There are however, difficulties also about trade. The record of payment of Guinea is not as happy as perhaps it should be. ECGD cover for the moment has been kept for short-term credit only. Long-term ECGD cover is not presently available and is unlikely to be renewed until the rescheduled debt agreement is brought into line by the Guineans. As the noble Lord and the House may know, some payments under that rescheduling agreement are in arrears.