HC Deb 27 July 1982 vol 28 c482W
Mr. Latham

asked the Minister for Trade what was the purpose of the visit of the previous Secretary of State to Iraq between 3 and 7 October 1981.

Mr. Peter Rees

[pursuant to his reply, 26 July 1982, c. 361.]: My right hon. Friend, the former Secretary of State visited Baghdad to participate in the first meeting of the United Kingdom—Iraq joint commission. He also visited the Baghdad international fair where over 100 British firms were exhibiting.

Mr. Latham

asked the Minister for Trade what was the purpose of his visit to various Arab countries between 12 and 22 February and 26 March and 2 April.

Mr. Peter Rees

[pursuant to his reply, 26 July 1982, c. 361.]: I visited Syria, Jordan and Iraq in February, and Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman in March and April, both to promote the interests of British exporters and to discuss questions of bilateral commercial relations. On both visits I was accompanied by representatives of British industry.