ANGLO-SOVIET CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE

HC Deb 17 July 1967 vol 750 cc1529-30

28. Mr. Boston

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now announce the membership of the British side of the new Anglo-Soviet Consultative Committee.

Mr. William Rodgers

There are a number of outstanding points in the Committee's terms of reference which will shortly be put to the Soviet Government. Once they have been agreed I hope we shall be able to announce the membership of the British Group.

Mr. Boston

Would my hon. Friend accept that these developments are a most welcome outcome of Mr. Kosygin's visit, and will he also accept that although there may have been some cooling off in Anglo-Soviet relations in some spheres every possible effort should be made to see that there is unimpeded progress in this sphere?

Mr. Rodgers

Yes. We are anxious to move as fast as we can, but I think the House will agree that all points of detail must be clearly settled so that there will be no misunderstandings at a later date.