HL Deb 09 March 1972 vol 329 cc301-2WA
EARL COWLEY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

(1) Which Ministers are planning to visit Latin America during the next 10 months; (2) which countries they are planning to visit; (3) what will be the purposes of their visits; (4) what were the number of ministerial visits per annum between 1956 and 1971 to Latin America.

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

As already announced, my right honourable friend the Minister for Trade will be visiting Chile in April to lead the British delegation to the UNCTAD III Conference. Mr. Noble will take the opportunity also of paying a visit to Brazil, where he will discuss trade matters of mutual interest. Further ministerial visits to Latin America this year are under active consideration.

The following are the number of ministerial visits to Latin America between 1956 and 1971. Many visits covered more than one country:

1956 None
1957 1
1958 3
1959 2
1960 8
1961 None
1962 1
1963 2
1964 5
1965 6
1966 6
1967 7
1968 4
1969 7
1970 2
1971 4

EARL COWLEY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What future steps have been planned to consolidate the possible advantages and obvious goodwill to be obtained from the seminar on Britain and Latin America to be held at Lancaster House on May 16 and 17 this year.

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

Her Majesty's Government regard the seminar as part of a continuing process of fruitful contact with the countries of Latin America. They are of course in constant contact with all bodies and institutions concerned with fostering relations with Latin America, and with the private sector, and have very much in mind the need to ensure that the impetus is maintained.