HC Deb 26 June 1957 vol 572 cc199-200
21. Mr. Osborne

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on Anglo-Soviet cultural relations and indicate what contacts have been resumed under the auspices of Her Majesty's Government since the breakdown consequent upon Soviet intervention in Hungary.

Mr. Ian Harvey

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister stated in his reply to Mr. Bulganin's message of 20th April, Her Majesty's Government favour an increase in Anglo-Soviet cultural exchanges organised through representative and responsible channels. A programme for the resumption of these exchanges, under the auspices of the Soviet Relations Committee of the British Council, is under discussion between that Committee and the Soviet Embassy.

Mr. Osborne

When these negotiations have produced results and relations are started again, will my hon. Friend insist that a Russian-language journal shall be published by our authorities in Moscow, the same as the Americans have, so that the Russians can see something of our way of life?

Mr. Harvey

That is an important suggestion which has been given very careful consideration. I hope that my hon. Friend will receive some information about it in the near future.