USSR

HC Deb 20 October 1976 vol 917 cc1430-1

16. Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to pay an official visit to Moscow.

Mr. Tomlinson

My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so.

Mr. Adley

As this is the twentieth anniversary of the brutal Soviet oppression of Hungary, will the hon. Gentleman tell those apologists for Moscow in his party that they should cease their constant carping criticism of capitalism and that the unpleasant and unacceptable face of Soviet Socialism is represented by the tanks which rumbled into Budapest from Moscow 20 years ago?

Mr. Tomlinson

No, Sir.

Mr. Frank Allaun

If we want to avoid a third world war between East and West, which is the supreme task facing our generation, surely it would be folly to avoid talks at the top level and at every level with people with whom it is vital that we should enjoy peace and detente.

Mr. Tomlinson

I would not dissent from that opinion.

Mr. Blaker

Will the hon. Gentleman suggest to the Foreign Secretary that when he goes to Moscow he should ask the Russians for their estimate of the subsidy to the Soviet consumer which will be paid by the British taxpayer if the line of credit advanced by the right hon. Member for Huyton (Sir H. Wilson) is totally taken up by the Soviet Union? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Secretary of State for Trade is extremely evasive in answering my questions on the matter but that I am reliably informed that the figure will be over £200 million?

Mr. Tomlinson

As my right hon. Friend has no immediate plans to visit Moscow, the hon. Gentleman's suggestion is hypothetical.

Mr. Gwilym Roberts

Will my hon. Friend accept, however, that the terms of our trade with Eastern countries have improved considerably in recent months and years? Will he reaffirm that it is the policy of the Government to stimulate that trade in every way possible as well as stimulating peaceful relations?

Mr. Tomlinson

I am sure the House will agree that it is in the interest of all to see widening free trade with Eastern countries.

Mr. Maudling

But does widening free trade have to involve large subsidies from the British taxpayer?

Mr. Tomlinson

No, it does not have to do so, and in this case I do not believe that it does.