asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has for an official visit to South and Central America.

Whilst I would naturally hope to visit Latin America, I have no plans to do so at present.

Will not the Foreign Secretary see whether he can arrange for one of his senior colleagues to pay a visit in view of the great commercial and political success of previous visits?

Yes, I hope that many visits can be arranged. The Chancellor of the Duchy has just come back from Mexico, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry visited the Argentine last month and Princess Alexandra opened the British Industrial Exhibition. I hope that this pattern of visits can continue.

If the right hon. Gentleman does visit South America, will he regard the observance of international obligations relating to minority rights and freedom of expression as legitimate subjects for discussion with Governments there, particularly when he visits Brazil?

As long as the hon. Gentleman does not ask me to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.