§ Mr. NellistTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many ministerial or other official visits have been made to Guyana, for what duration and for what purpose in each of the last 10 years; what information he has as to the proper conduct of elections scheduled for 1991; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe information requested by the hon. Member in the first part of his question is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The most recent ministerial visit to Guyana was when my right hon. Friend (Mr. Patten), the then Minister for Overseas Development, visited Georgetown from 9–10 July 1989 when he signed a new aid agreement with the Government of Guyana. I reminded the visiting Foreign Minister of Guyana on 21 May of the importance which this Government attach to the principle of free and fair elections and of the need for elections to be seen to be fair.