§ Q1. Mr. Martenasked the Prime Minister when he expects the Anglo-Soviet Consultative Committee, mentioned in his communiqué after Mr. Kosygin's visit, to be established.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)We are discussing with the Soviet Government the terms of reference for the Committee; and as soon as these have been agreed we shall invite suitably qualified persons to join the British Group. When the Russians have done the same on their side the way will be clear for the two groups to prepare their first meeting together.
§ Mr. MartenDoes not the Prime Minister recall saying after Mr. Kosygin's visit that we should not lose the momentum of the visit? It is now 17 weeks ago, which is rather a long time. What has been the delay in the formation of this Committee?
§ The Prime MinisterWe have not lost momentum, particularly on the trade side and the technological side, since that visit. We submitted our draft of the arrangements for the Committee to the Soviet Government which needed a little time to study them and which has only recently given us its views and some suggestions. These are now being considered.
§ Mr. HeathCan the Prime Minister tell the House what use is being made of the teletype communication line which it was agreed should be set up after Mr. Kosygin's visit?
§ The Prime MinisterThe right hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that it has not yet been installed, but he will be very happy to know that communications between Mr. Kosygin and myself on a personal basis have been continuing in a 1283 very intense way this week through the Ambassador. We have been in very close touch at every turn and development during the Middle East crisis.
§ Sir C. OsborneThe right hon. Gentleman will remember that the communiqué stated:
The establishment of the Anglo-Soviet Consultative Committee"—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman cannot quote while asking a supplementary question.
§ Sir C. OsborneThe communiqué says that the Committee should be representative of almost every activity except that of the politician. As politics play a major part in Moscow, will the right hon. Gentleman see that this Consultative Committee includes back benchers of both Houses to meet with their opposite numbers from the Supreme Soviet?
§ The Prime MinisterI should be surprised if there were not full recognition of political realities in the appointment of the group, but it is important to avoid cutting across the work of the Anglo-Soviet Parliamentary Committee and relations between this Parliament and the Supreme Soviet, work in which the hon. Gentleman himself has played a distinguished part. This new proposal should not cut across that very valuable work.
§ Mr. HeathCan the Prime Minister say what has held up the installation of the line, to which he gave such importance and prominence on television after the meeting?
§ The Prime MinisterThere have been technical discussions between the two sides and there are certain technical difficulties to be overcome, but there is no blockage of any agreement to set it up. We have this week again been discussing the urgency of establishing it.