§ 1. Mr. Osborneasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the friendly reception given in Moscow to the British trade delegation, he will now consider the desirability of inviting a parliamentary delegation from Moscow to visit this country, and for a similar delegation from the United Kingdom to visit Moscow.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Anthony Nutting)I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Lewis) on 15th March.
§ Mr. OsborneIn view of the immense issues at stake, does not my hon. Friend agree that no possibility should be neglected to bridge the gap between East and West? Will he therefore see that, if the opportunity arises, he will take it?
§ Mr. NuttingCertainly, Sir. The Government agree that no opportunity should be missed, and I can assure my hon. Friend that Her Majesty's Government are missing no opportunity to this end.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesIs it not a fact that the last parliamentary delegation was from the Soviet Union to this country and that it is now up to the Soviet Union to invite a parliamentary delegation from this country if they so wish?
§ Mr. NuttingI entirely agree with the hon. Gentleman.