Nicaragua (Hansard, 20 July 1989)

§ Mr. Tony Banks
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visits have been made to Nicaragua by Her Majesty's ambassador accredited to that country since July 1988.

§ Mr. Eggar
Her Majesty's ambassador to Nicaragua, who is resident in San José, has made 10 visits to Nicaragua since July 1988.

§ Mr. Tony Banks
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any assistance has been offered to the Nicaraguan Government in connection with the run-up to the elections in February 1990; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Eggar
The Nicaraguan Government have not asked us for any assistance in the preparation or conduct of the election due in February 1990.
333W

§ Mr. Tony Banks
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any resources have been made available by Her Majesty's Government to opposition parties in Nicaragua during the past five years.

§ Mr. Eggar
No.

§ Mr. Tony Banks
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government have requested the new Administration in Washington to cease their economic sanctions against Nicaragua; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Eggar
United States bilateral relations with Nicaragua are a matter for the two Governments concerned. We have normal economic relations with Nicaragua.

§ Mr. Tony Banks
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to visit Nicaragua during 1989; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Eggar
My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has no present plans to visit Nicaragua.

§ Mr. Tony Banks
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contacts have taken place between Her Majesty's representatives in Nicaragua and representatives of Nicaraguan opposition parties in the past 12 months.

§ Mr. Eggar
In the course of their normal duties, Her Majesty's representatives in Managua maintain contact with individuals representing a wide spread of opinion, including the Opposition.

§ Mr. Tony Banks
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response has been formulated by Her Majesty's Government to the request from President Ortega for an all-party group to visit Nicaragua in the run-up to the 1990 elections in that country.

§ Mr. Eggar
The question of sending an all-party group of hon. Members is for Parliament rather than the Government to consider. For our part, we indicated on 30 June our willingness to send an official observer. We have just received an invitation and shall accept it.

§ Mr. Tony Banks
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the last visit was made by a Minister of Her Majesty's Government to Nicaragua.

§ Mr. Eggar
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, then Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, visited Nicaragua in May 1980.