§ 2.43 p.m.
Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government to make a Statement on the recent visit of the Soviet Minister of Marine, Mr. Guzhenko, and in particular on the meeting of the Anglo Soviet Joint Maritime Commission recently held in London.
Lord ORAMMy Lords, the visit of the Soviet Minister of Merchant Marine, Mr. Guzhenko, provided the opportunity for some frank discussions on maritime problems. The issues raised with Mr. Guzhenko included Soviet under-cutting of freight rates, the provision of excessive capacity on certain liner trades, and the need for a fairer balance between United Kingdom and Soviet ships in our bilateral trades. Although we prefer a policy of co-operation rather than confrontation, we left the Soviet side in no doubt about the need for movement on their part in the search for mutually satisfactory solutions to current difficulties. Detailed discussion of these difficulties and of possible remedies was undertaken by officials within the Anglo Soviet Joint Maritime Commission. Further discussions will be held in the near future.
Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDEMy Lords, I wish to thank the noble Lord very much for that Answer, and for his help in this matter. Can he say whether there was any indication that we are likely to get just and fair treatment as a result of this visit and the discussions which are going on, which are very important to our shipping interests, as well as to our national interests?
Lord ORAMMy Lords, as my original Answer indicated, we stated the British point of view very firmly. No agreements on matters of substance were reached, but we hope that the Soviet authorities will have noted the depth of our concern and will give urgent consideration to the various proposals that we have put forward. One of the next major steps will be to try to work out a set of principles to act as guidelines for the orderly development of maritime trade; at least, there was agreement to take it that far.
Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDEMy Lords, I wish to thank the noble Lord again. Can he tell me how long I shall have to wait before I can put down another Question?
Lord ORAMMy Lords, I imagine that if there is a vacancy, the noble Baroness can put down a Question for tomorrow; I hope she will not. The meeting to which I have referred is to take place in August.