§ Mr. Fieldasked the Lord Privy Seal whether, during the forthcoming visit of the Venezuelan Foreign Minister to London, he will attempt to promote a renewal of the protocol of Port of Spain, especially given the increased tension between Guyana and Venezuela over the disputed territories.
§ Mr. RidleyThe Venezuelan Foreign Minister is due to meet my right hon. and noble Friend today. We understand that he will wish to raise this question. The protocol will be deemed to be renewed in June 1982 unless either the Government of Guyana or the Government of Venezuela give to the other Governments parties to the protocol a notice in writing to the effect that they wish the protocol to be terminated. To date no such notice has been received from either Government.
§ Mr. Hefferasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he and his colleagues at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office intend to discuss the disputed territory of Essequibo with the Venezuelan Foreign Minister during his forthcoming visit to the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. RidleyThe Venezuelan Foreign Minister is due to meet my right hon. and noble Friend today. We understand that he will wish to raise this question.
§ Mr. Stallardasked the Lord Privy Seal why the United Kingdom Government, being a signatory to the protocol of Port of Spain of June 1970, supported a project in the World Bank on 7 October 1980 which would function in the Guyanese territory under dispute with Venezuela.
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§ Mr. RidleyThe protocol of Port of Spain does not preclude examination of the development potential of the territories to which Venezuela lays claim. The British Government's attitude to World Bank projects is normally governed by developmental and economic criteria.