§ 33. Mr. Flanneryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on current relations between the United Kingdom and the Philippines.
§ Mr. RentonWe enjoy good relations with the Philippines. We hope that their present economic and political difficulties will soon be resolved and that the Presidential elections due in January will be free and fair. The United Kingdom is the third largest investor in the Philippines; our visible exports are increasing and will be worth about £100 million in 1985.
§ 37. Mr. Chopeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he intends to seek to make an official visit to the Philippines.
§ Mr. RentonMy right hon. and learned Friend has at present no plans to do so. But the United Kingdom as president of the European Community will be appropriately represented at the annual dialogue meeting between the European Community and the Association of South East Asian Nations to be held in Manila in mid 1986.