Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Hansard, 21 December 1976)

§ Mr. Meacher

The following terms of reference of the Permanent United Kingdom-Soviet Union Inter-Governmental Commission for Co-operation in the Fields of Applied Science, Technology, Trade and Economic Relations were adopted at the first meeting of the Joint Commission in January 19711. The United Kingdom-Soviet Union Inter-Governmental Commission for Co-operation in the Fields of Applied Science, Technology, Trade and Economic Relations, hereinafter called the Joint Commission is created to discuss the implementation of co-operation currently taking place in accordance with the Long-Term Trade Agreement and the Agreement for Co-operation in the Fields of Applied Science and Technology, and to seek new opportunities for improving and extending co-operation in the Fields of Applied Science, Technology, Trade and Economic Relations between the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union. 2. The Long-Term Trade Agreement for Co-operation in the Fields of Applied Science and Technology will in no way be affected by the creation of the Joint Commission, except in so far as a separate annual review under Article 5(1) of the Agreement for Co-operation in the Field of Applied Science and Technology need no longer be held. 3. The Joint Commission will consist of British and Soviet groups created on a basis of parity, each numbering not more than 10 principal members. Each Government will accordingly designate the chairman and members of its part of the Joint Commission. The United Kingdom will have as its chairman the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and will include representatives of the British industry. The Soviet 148W side will have as its chairman the chairman of the State Committee for Science and Technology of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union. Each group will have its own permanent secretariat. 4. The Joint Commission will normally meet once a year at times agreed by the chairmen of the two groups. The meetings will be held alternately in London and Moscow and will be presided over by a representative of the receiving side. The agenda for each meeting will so far as possible, be agreed not later than four weeks before the date fixed for the meeting. 5. Recommendations by the Joint Commission will be adopted with the mutual consent of both groups reporting to their respective Governments. Both Governments, may by agreement, announce conclusions of the Joint Commission, the publication of which they consider by mutual consent to be useful. The results of the discussions between the two groups of the Joint Commission will be reflected in a summary record which will be drawn up in the English and Russian languages, and will be signed by the two Chairmen".

There have been five meetings of the Joint Commission which have provided useful opportunities for reviewing at senior Ministerial level our trade with the Soviet Union and the possibilities for economic, industrial, scientific and technological co-operation between the two countries; and for identifying specific projects or sectors of industry which appear to offer good prospects of beneficial trade or co-operation for the United Kingdom.