HC Deb 23 March 1964 vol 692 cc18-9
19. Mr. Mayhew

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what restrictions on free contacts for Britons with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics have been removed by the Soviet Government in recent years; what restrictions remain; and what requests he has made to the Soviet Government to remove these remaining restrictions.

Mr. Mathew

It is our impression that the majority of British subjects wishing to visit the Soviet Union are granted visas by the Soviet authorities. Restrictions on free contacts with Soviet citizens continue, and large areas of the Soviet Union are forbidden to foreigners. These are, of course, matters of internal jurisdiction, but Her Majesty's Government have made known to the Soviet Government their interest in promoting tourism and free contacts between the two countries.

Mr. Mayhew

While there has been steady progress in freeing our contacts with the Soviet Union, is the Minister aware that the position is still very one-sided? Is he aware of the useful information bulletin published and circulated by the Soviet Embassy in this country? What requests have been made for similar facilities for our embassy in Moscow?

Mr. Mathew

I am aware of that bulletin. We have made it abundantly clear to the Soviet authorities on a number of occasions that we would like to see a free flow of information of all kinds available to the public of the two countries. It would be a great advance if British newspapers were available in the Soviet Union just as Russian newspapers are available here. The lifting of the jamming of B.B.C. Russian language broadcasts since the summer of last year is encouraging.