HL Deb 08 August 1980 vol 412 cc1760-1

11.10 a.m.

Lord JANNER

My 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 are aware of the recent cut in exit visas given by the Soviet authorities to Jews who have applied to emigrate, as shown by such refusals as the 3,000 during the last six months in Kiev, and whether they will take steps at the Madrid review of the Helsinki Agreement to deal with this violation of the United Nations Human Rights Charter.

Lord TREFGARNE

Yes, my Lords, we are aware of the recent drop in the number of exit visas being granted, and we deplore the harassment of those in the Soviet Union who have protested at this. We shall be pressing for improved performance at Madrid.

Lord JANNER

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord, not only for what he has said today but for what the Government have done in this particular direction, may I ask him whether he would keep in mind that the Soviet action is quite contrary, not only to the Helsinki Agree- ment but actually to the laws which the USSR profess to have on their statute book?

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, we entirely agree with the noble Lord that this situation is deplorable. The average number of visas issued per month last year was about 4,000, and the number issued in June this year was only 1,500.