UK relationship with Latin America discussed in the Lords

Baroness Hooper (Conservative), vice president of the Hispanic and Luso Brazilian Council Canning House, put forward the debate. 

This was a general debate. During debates, members put their experience to good use to discuss current issues and draw the government's attention to concerns. 

Members speaking 

Contributing members included:

• Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour), Lords shadow spokesperson for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and International Development
• Baroness Coussins (Crossbench), former president of the Peru Support Group (human rights organisation)
• Lord Mountevans (Crossbench), vice-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Latin America
• Lord Purvis of Tweed (Liberal Democrat), associate of Global Partners Governance Limited (social purpose company).

Opening the debate, Baroness Hooper said:

'This large and important region represents only 2% of UK imports and 2.5% of our exports, but that gives us huge opportunities to do more in investment and infrastructure projects, especially water and sewage treatment, but also in green finance and financial services generally, and, indeed, in the education sector, particularly in tech.'

Responding on behalf of the government, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative), Minister of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said:

'Over the next decade, we will aim to eliminate further market access barriers and sign agreements with countries around the region, supporting growing trade and investment in sectors of strategic importance and special interest.'

Get involved

Catch up on Parliament TV or read the Lords Hansard transcript.

Explore background information

Find out more about the issues to be discussed in the House of Lords Library briefing.

Learn more about how the House of Lords checks and challenges government.

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