HC Deb 09 June 1982 vol 25 cc191-2
3. Mr. Woodall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response has been received from the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to representations made by Her Majesty's Government concerning the case of Vladimir Slepak.

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Malcolm Rifkind)

We have raised Mr. Slepak's case in direct bilateral contacts with the Soviet Government and at the conference on security and co-operation in Europe review meeting in Madrid. We regret that no response has been received.

Mr. Woodall

Does the Minister accept that there has been a somewhat disappointing response by the Soviet authorities? Nevertheless, will the Minister seek assurances from the Soviet authorities that when Vladimir Slepak has completed his exile—I hope later this year—his application for an exit visa, tabled over 10 years ago, will be granted so that he and his wife may emigrate to the land of their choice?

Mr. Rifkind

I agree that the response from the Soviet Union is extremely disappointing. I share the hon. Gentleman's sentiments. We shall certainly take any available opportunity to make renewed representations to the Soviet Government.

Mr. Wilkinson

Will my hon. Friend use his good offices in relation to our policy vis-a-vis the Soviet Union to ensure that in such cases, as in others, the Soviet Union upholds the principle enshrined in the Helsinki accord? Will the Government look again at the grant of £85,400 which the Foreign Office devotes to the Great Britain-USSR Association, because I see no evidence that that body brings the Soviet regime more into line with the Helsinki accord?

Mr. Rifkind

We have used the opportunity of the review meeting in Madrid to renew the view of most Western countries that the human rights provisions of the Helsinki agreement should be properly respected. As to the latter part of my hon. Friend's question, these matters are kept constantly under review. We shall continue such support only if we think that it meets the interests of the association and of the United Kingdom to give that help.

Mr. George Robertson

I associate myself with the disappointment felt at the lack of response to the case of Vladimir Slepak. Have the Government received any response from the Soviet Government about the Vaschenko and Chymkhalov families, who are incarcerated in the American embassy in Moscow and who were offered asylum recently by the Prime Minister in answer to a question that I tabled?

Mr. Rifkind

This matter is primarily for the United States Government. I can report no new developments at present.

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