HC Deb 23 October 1972 vol 843 c762
10. Mr. Whitehead

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for discussions with the Foreign Minister of Czechoslovakia, Mr. Bohuslav Chnoupek.

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

I met Mr. Chnoupek in New York. There are no plans at present for a further meeting.

Mr. Whitehead

Is the Foreign Secretary aware that his answer will be very welcome? Should there be a subsequent meeting with the Foreign Minister of Czechoslovakia, I hope he will convey the alarm which exists in this country about the recent series of political trials in that country, although I appreciate that we have no standing in this matter. Will he also convey to the Czech Foreign Minister when they next meet the feelings expressed in the early day Motion No. 434 —Political Trials in Czechoslovakia—which stands in the name of my hon. Friend the Member for Penistone (Mr. John Mendelson)?

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

As I have said, I saw the Czech Foreign Minister in New York and there would be no point in our having a meeting at present. The timing of any meeting would be within my own control.

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