§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Lord Privy Seal what benefits he expects from the series of high level ministerial visits to Latin America given in his reply of 25 July to the hon. Member for Harlow (Mr. Newens).
§ Mr. RidleyThe general purpose of these visits is to promote our bilateral relations and to advance British political, commercial and economic interests in this increasingly important area. I am visiting Belize and Guatemala in the context of the current round of negotiations with Guatemala over Belize.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Lord Privy Seal what will be the total cost to public funds, including officials and business men, of the series of ministerial visits to 855W Latin America listed in his answer of 24 July to the hon. Member for Harlow (Mr. Newens).
§ Mr. RidleyThe estimated cost to public funds of the series of Ministerial visits to Latin America listed in the reply my right hon. Friend gave the hon. Member for Harlow (Mr. Newens), on 24 July is £114,460. This sum includes the cost of the visit of my noble Friend Lord Trefgarne. There is no charge to public funds for the cost of travel by business men.