§ 14. Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what Ministerial exchanges are proposed between the 63 Soviet Union and the United Kingdom following the recent visit by Mr. Kosygin.
§ Mr. George BrownMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology is going to Moscow today. The Soviet Minister for Foreign Trade is arriving here this week. I shall be going to Moscow on 19th May. A visit to discuss air services is under consideration and the Soviet Minister of Agriculture will be coming to the United Kingdom next month. A number of other Ministerial visits, in both directions, are under discussion, but I cannot, of course, give details until these have been agreed with the Soviet Government.
§ Mr. AshleyI thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Can he ensure that all possible steps will be taken to further good relations between the Soviet Union and this country? Will he do what he can to reciprocate the gestures of friendship made by Mr. Kosygin to this country?
§ Mr. BrownThe relations of the two countries are very good, very friendly and very close. As I have shown, we are keeping in touch very closely with each other.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyWill the right hon. Gentleman say what progress has been made with the suggested treaty with Soviet Russia which the Prime Minister announced after Mr. Kosygin's visit to this country?
§ Mr. BrownAs I said in answer to an earlier question, this is being pursued. I hope to be taking it up when I go to Moscow.