§ 3.14 p.m.
Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they can make a Statement on the recent visit to London of the Soviet 294 Minister of Merchant Marine, Mr. Guzhenko, and senior Soviet officials and, in particular, on the Anglo-Soviet Joint Maritime Commission which was held in London in June.
Lord ORAMMy Lords, as the noble Baroness may be aware, Mr. Guzhenko's visit has only just ended. The Anglo-Soviet Joint Maritime Commission is, however, still in session and continues until tomorrow. Matters which were discussed at Ministerial level are being pursued in the Joint Commission. Any Statement therefore must await the end of the Commission's discussions.
Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDEMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that Answer. Will he accept my appreciation for the help he has given, and add a little more help by letting me know what will be a suitable date for me to put down another Question, so that we shall have a real, detailed answer to this very important matter?
Lord ORAMMy Lords, of course I will endeavour to give as full an answer at any point that the noble Baroness seeks to choose. In order that an assessment of the conference should be made before I attempt such an answer, I hope that she will give the Department something over one week's notice. Certainly I will be as helpful as I can on such a point.
Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDEMy Lords, I again thank the noble Lord. A week certainly would be a great improvement on the length of time it has taken a lot of negotiations—