§ Sir Hugh RossiTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment was made by the Minister of State, the right hon. Member for Suffolk, Coastal (Mr. Gummer), the implications of the degree of economic stability of Chile for the prospects of trade between the United Kingdom and Chile; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. GummerOn my visit to Chile between 11 and 17 January 1988, I was accompanied by a team of business men representing a good cross-section of the United Kingdom's agro-industry. I can inform my hon. Friend that the team, who made a significant number of new business contacts, were highly impressed by the economic stability of that country and the prospects for bilateral trade in agricultural and fisheries products. I share that impression.
As I made clear to the various Ministers of the Chilean Government whom I met, I am a firm supporter of the initiative they have taken to privatise the agricultural sector. I was able, with my business team, to meet many agricultural entrepreneurs, particularly in the horticultural and fisheries sectors, who have expressed the wish to improve trade with the United Kingdom.
Nevertheless I also made it clear to representatives of the Chilean Government, as well as to the leading members of the Opposition, that, while admiring their economic progress, we could not overlook Chile's consistently poor human rights performance. I also emphasised that Her Majesty's Government would wish to see an orderly and peaceful return to democracy as soon as possible.