HL Deb 26 January 1994 vol 551 cc960-1

2.53 p.m.

Lord Bethell asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have made representations to the Russian Government for help in Metropolitan Police inquiries into the murder of Georgi Markov in London in 1978 and, if so, what answer has been received from the Russian Government.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)

My Lords, the Russian Government are aware of our concern over the Markov case. We have recently approached the Russian authorities seeking their help with the Metropolitan Police's inquiries. The Russians have said that they have in principle no objection to a visit by the Metropolitan Police.

Lord Bethell

My Lords, I welcome my noble friend's reply. Is she aware that there certainly are witnesses and documents in Moscow which could be of help to the Metropolitan Police in the investigation into this terrible murder? Will she communicate, as diplomatically as possible, to the Russian Government the suggestion that if Russia wishes genuinely to have good relations with Britain and our allies and to co-operate in the building up of their economy, they must help in investigating matters such as this?

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for what he has said. We have been in touch with a senior presidential adviser in the Kremlin over help for this visit to Moscow by the Metropolitan Police. We have made clear that the police are seeking to solve a particularly well-publicised and most serious crime which amounted to an act of political terrorism undertaken by the former communist regime. We believe that the Russians understand that and that they will allow interviews to be conducted in the presence of an official from the procurator's office and in accordance with Russian law. I believe I would be wrong to hold out too much hope that all documents will be revealed to the Metropolitan Police. Although thing are improving in Russia, I do not believe that we have yet reached that stage in our relationship.

Baroness Blackstone

My Lords, can the Minister tell the House why Mr. Oleg Kalugin, a former member of the KGB who had earlier admitted to organising the assassination of Mr. Markov, was arrested by Scotland Yard officers and apparently interrogated for some 24 hours and later released without charge? Was there any pressure from the Russian Government to secure his release?

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, to the best of my knowledge Mr. Oleg Kalugin said in a newspaper article in April 1993 that he had been involved in the planning. Certainly the Metropolitan Police had an interview with General Oleg Kalugin. I was not aware that at any time he was arrested as such. I certainly do not believe that there has been any interference by the Russians in the investigations being carried out by the Metropolitan Police.