HC Deb 14 April 1993 vol 222 cc811-2
1. Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Russian Foreign Secretary over the last four weeks on relations between the United Kingdom and Russia; and if he will make a statement.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Douglas Hogg)

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met Mr. Kozyrev in Moscow on 2 April, and will see him in Tokyo tomorrow, with our G7 partners. I also met Mr. Kozyrev in Moscow on 27 March. Our relations with Russia are excellent. In our contacts we have repeated our support for the economic and political reforms which President Yeltsin and his Government have pursued.

Mr. Ancram

I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for that full reply. Will he assure the House that, at this time of considerable political uncertainty in Russia in the lead-up to the referendum, he and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will make it clear to their counterparts that future aid, both technical and economic, from this country in particular and the west in general will be contingent on continued economic and political reform, continued improvements in human rights and swift withdrawal from the Baltic states?

Mr. Hogg

My hon. Friend is entirely right. The purpose of supporting economic change in Russia is, at least in part, to support the process towards genuine political pluralism. Therefore, we want to make it plain to all that our support is dependent on that continued process; at the same time, we want to ensure that such economic aid as we make available is most likely to underpin a genuine restructuring of the economy.

Mr. Winnick

Is there full agreement between Russia and Britain on the need for substantial progress in South Africa? Have the Russian Government and the British Government come to the conclusion that what happened over the weekend—the tragic assassination of Chris Hani—was a terrible disaster? I hope that the British Government will make their views known clearly and publicly as soon as possible. Does the Minister agree that it should be made perfectly clear that the peace process in South Africa should continue—[Interruption.]

Madam Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman is totally out of order. The question relates to relations between the United Kingdom and Russia. If the hon. Gentleman has a question directed to that subject I shall hear it, but he must not abuse the House as he is doing.

Mr. Winnick

Does the Minister agree that both Russia and Britain should come to the conclusion that the peace process in South Africa should continue as quickly as possible?—[interruption]

Madam Speaker

Order. We will now move on. I call Mr. John Marshall.