HC Deb 24 July 1985 vol 83 cc1025-6
4. Rev. Martin Smyth

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the non-delivery of mail to individuals in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in breach of the Universal Postal Convention was raised by the United Kingdom delegation during the discussions on human rights at the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe in Ottawa in May; and if he will make a statement.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Richard Luce)

The United Kingdom delegation to the Ottawa meeting made clear our very real concern about the Soviet practice of interfering with private mail sent from abroad.

Rev. Martin Smyth

Is the Minister aware that the host of communications sent recently from the United Kingdom to the USSR which were seized by the Soviet postal authorities included inoffensive items such as wedding invitations and birthday cards? Will the Minister undertake to communicate with his opposite number in the USSR to discover which items are prohibited by the Soviet postal authorities, so that those who send communications to their friends in that country can be informed?

Mr. Luce

I know of the hon. Gentleman's longstanding interest in this problem. As I said, the general subject was raised forcefully at the Ottawa meeting on human rights. As the hon. Gentleman will know, my hon. Friend the Minister of State — the hon. Member for Edinburgh, Pentlands (Mr. Rifkind)—arrives in Moscow today. He told me before his departure that he intends to raise this general issue during his visit.