§ 2.38 p.m.
§ Lord MERRIVALEMy 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 will make a statement about the recent official visit to this country of Dr. Delfin Ugarte Centurion, Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Republic of Paraguay.
§ Lord TREFGARNEMy Lords, Dr. Ugarte visited the United Kingdom at the invitation of the British Overseas Trade Board. His visit was in the nature of a normal ministerial exchange on commercial relations. In addition to calls on Ministers in the Departments of Trade and Industry, Dr. Ugarte met several United Kingdom companies, banks and institutions interested in trade with Paraguay.
§ Lord MERRIVALEMy Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for that reply. Would he not agree that Paraguay, a friendly Latin American country with a stable and representative democracy, and with increasing economic and social development, deserves special attention on the part of Her Majesty's Government and of British industry? Would he not agree, too, that the ECGD should extend very favourable terms to business people here who trade with that country?
§ Lord TREFGARNEMy Lords, I certainly agree with almost everything that my noble friend has said. The visit of Dr. Ugarte was a most helpful one and we certainly hope that British companies will take advantage of the opportunities now offering.