§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask what steps Her Majesty's Government will take with other Governments to persuade the U.S.S.R. Government to refrain from violating human rights by the harassment and imprisonment of Jews who wish to emigrate, and the imposition of taxes on scientists and other educated persons who are allowed to emigrate.
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, we shall continue to bring to the attention of the Soviet Government the strength of feeling in this country about Soviet emigration policies, of which the reported new measures appear to be an extension.
LORD JANNIERMy Lords, may I ask the noble Baroness whether she will bring to the notice of the U.S.S.R., to-day if possible—because I gather that this particular directive is either going to be confirmed or withdrawn to-day—the disgust with which scientists and others have heard of this step which is enslaving scientists who have given tremendous service to the U.S.S.R. and to the world as a whole in past years? May I ask whether the noble Baroness would be good enough to take up the matter to-day if she possibly can? Also, would she be good enough to ask the Government to deal with other aspects, such as the harassments that are going on and the imprisonments that are taking place?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, the noble Lord asks me whether I will do something to-day. I should like to tell your Lordships' House that only this morning the Permanent Secretary of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office drew the attention of a senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union to the strength of feeling in this country on the question of Soviet Jews, and specifically to the latest increase of tax on emigrants.