Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make a Statement on the negotiations arising out of the recent visit of the Soviet Minister of Marine.
Lord ORAMMy Lords, I can add nothing to the Answer which I gave to the noble Baroness on the 4th July. The next round of discussions with the Soviet authorities will take place in August.
Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDEMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for a gracious Answer without getting us much further, may I ask him whether, representing his Government and I hope, my Opposition as well, he thinks any real progress is being made, and if not, what the Government will do about it?
Lord ORAMMy Lords, as I indicated on 4th July, we made our position very clear during the talks that were held earlier this year, and we believe that the Soviets understand our position very much better. The fact that the new round of talks is to take place in August gives us some expectation that we can make progress on that occasion.
Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDEMy Lords, I suppose it would not be possible to say whether the Soviet Minister of Marine, who visited us here recently, is really on our side, having regard to what he said when he met some of us? Does the noble Lord think he is having some difficulty with his own Government, and would that not be a good thing?
Lord ORAMMy Lords, I expect Mr. Guzhenko rather regards himself as being on the Soviet side in these matters, but he accepted our aim that there should be a greater degree of parity between the carryings of the Soviet Union and of the United Kingdom. As I said earlier, I think that we put our position clearly to him, and he has taken note of it.
Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDEMy Lords, as the House will be in Recess, may I ask the noble Lord whether he will be kind enough to send me a letter about what happens in August?
Lord ORAMCertainly, my Lords. The Recess continues rather a long time after the end of August, and I will certainly keep in touch with the noble Baroness on the matter.