§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the number of personnel employed in the British Embassy, and in other permanent British trade, scientific or cultural mission in, respectively, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Poland, Romania, Hungary, the German Democratic Republic, Czechoslovakia and Bulgaria in June 1970, June 1975 and June 1977, respectively; and what were the numbers of personnel, calculated on the same or nearest basis, at the embassies or missions representing the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Poland, Romania, Hungary, the German Democratic Republic, Czechoslovakia and Bulgaria, at the same times.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe information is as follows:
in the United Kingdom that he or his Department has received from the Governments of Yugoslavia, the USSR, Romania, Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia, respectively, or from any group, institution or individual in those countries.
447W
§ Mr. LuardThe Government have received no official complaints of alleged breaches of Section 7 of Basket I of the Helsinki Final Act by the British Government, British authorities or individuals from the Governments of any of these countries. Under the Final Act, commitments are entered into by the participating States, and not by private organisations or individuals.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all the cases, drawn officially to his attention by hon. Members or by members of the public, where it is alleged that there have been breaches of Basket I, Section 7, of the Helsinki Agreement, namely, alleged breaches of the words of the agreement that "The participating States will respect human rights and fundamental freedoms including the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief …" and "… will promote and encourage the effective exercise of civil, political, economic, social, cultural and other rights and freedoms …"in Yugoslavia, the USSR, Romania, Poland, Hungary, the Republic of East Germany, Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia, respectively.
§ Mr. LuardA considerable number of cases of alleged breaches of Section 7 of Basket I of the Helsinki Final Act have been brought to the Government's attention by MPs, groups and individuals in this country. As many of these cases have been drawn to the Government's attention in confidence it would not be appropriate to list them. However, the Government will take the opportunity at Belgrade to remind signatory Governments of their obligations under this and all other Sections of the Final Act, and to press for these obligations to be met in full.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the authorities in Yugoslavia, the USSR, Romania, Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia, respectively, have reduced the fees charged in connection with applications for travel in order to reunite families, as recommended where necessary under Basket III, Reunification of Families, of the Helsinki Agreement.
448W
§ Mr. LuardThe Government are only aware of a reduction in the fees charged in connection with applications for travel to reunite families by two of the listed countries. In early 1976, Hungary reduced the cost of an emigration passport by 33⅓ per cent. from 1,500 to 1,000 forints. Also in early 1976, the Soviet Union reduced the fee for an exit visa by 25 per cent. from 400 to 300 roubles.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by what percentage the Contacts and Regular Meetings on the basis of Family Ties have increased or decreased, as defined in Basket III of the Helsinki Agreement, among citizens normally resident in Yugoslavia, the USSR, Romania, Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia, respectively, wishing to make contact outside that country since the signing of the Helsinki Agreement; and how many such applications for travel have been granted by the Governments of the above countries since the signing of the Helsinki Agreement.
§ Mr. LuardStatistics of contacts and meetings between citizens of the listed countries are not available. Details of applications for travel made to their Governments by citizens of the listed countries are also not available. Details of citizens of the listed countries entering the United Kingdom in 1974 and 1975 are published in the official annual Control of Immigration Statistics (Commands 6065 and 6504). The 1976 statistics have not yet been issued.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in implementing the recommendation of Basket II, Economic and Social Aspects of Migrant Labour, of the Helsinki Agreement, with regard to migrant workers in Europe.
§ Mr. JuddI have nothing to add to the reply given by my hon. Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham, East (Mr. Lamond) on 28th February 1977. The Review meeting at Belgrade in the autumn will, we hope, shed more light on this issue.
449W
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list, with reference to Basket II, Economic and Commercial Information, of the Helsinki Agreement, the steps taken to promote the publication and dissemination of economic and commercial information at regular intervals and as quickly as possible by the Governments of the United Kingdom, Yugoslavia, the USSR, Romania, Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia, respectively, since the signing of the Helsinki Agreement.
§ Mr. JuddThe following is a list of measures known by Her Majesty's Government to have been taken by various Governments since the signing of the Final Act to promote the publication and dissemination of economic and commercial information at regular intervals and as quickly as possible.
United Kingdom—In the area covered by Basket II the practice of the United Kingdom was in conformity with the Final Act at the time of its signature and unilateral action to implement it was thought not necessary on our part.
Soviet Union—Some minor additions to the range of statistics published have been made in the course of this year; and foreign trade statistics are now published quarterly instead of annually.
German Democratic Republic—The half-yearly statistics for 1976 and the foreign trade figures for the same year were less informative than in previous years.
Czechoslovakia—A number of minor alterations have been made in the compilation of both internal and foreign trade figures.
Romania—The general range of information normally produced meets the basic requirement of the Final Act. But the 1975 volume of foreign trade statistics failed to appear.
Hungary—There have been small improvements and modifications in the compilation of statistics.
Poland—There has been no change.
Bulgaria—There has been no change in the compilation of statistics. The foreign trade yearbook is now less readily available than in previous years.
Yugoslavia—There have been no reports on any shortcomings in the pro- 450W duction or distribution of Yugoslav statistics.
It is hoped that the CSCE Review Meeting, due to take place this year at Belgrade, will provide more information on this subject.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list, with reference to Basket 11, Business Contacts and Facilities, of the Helsinki Agreement, what measures have been taken by the Governments of Yugoslavia, the USSR, Romania, Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia "aimed at improving working conditions of representatives of foreign organisations … concerned with external trade" since the signing of the Helsinki Agreement.
§ Mr. JuddThe following is a list of measures known to have been taken by various Governments since the signing of the Final Act, aimed at "improving working conditions of representatives of foreign organisations … concerned with external trade".
Soviet Union—Except for an increase in the number of fully accredited representatives of foreign firms there has been no significant change. An extensive hotel building programme is in progress.
Romania—There is as yet no change.
Poland—The provision of hotel accommodation has improved and continues to improve. A new, but expensive, office block has been opened for Western firms.
Hungary—There has been no change
German Democratic Republic—There is no change.
Bulgaria—New regulations on the legal status of Western representatives have been published. More hotels are being built.
Czechslovakia—An imprecise decree on the setting up of offices of Western firms in Czechslovakia has recently been introduced.
Yugoslavia—Legislation is in preparation to allow Western firms to establish offices in Yugoslavia.
It is hoped that the CSCE Review Meeting due to take place later this year at Belgrade will provide more information on this subject.
451W
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all the United Kingdom newspapers and magazines that were, and are, available regularly to the general public in Yugoslavia, the USSR, Romania, Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia, respectively, at the latest convenient date prior to the signing of the Helsinki Agreement and June 1977.
§ Mr. LuardNon-Communist newspapers and magazines published in the United Kingdom are not on open regular sale to the general public in the Soviet
Publication Bulgaria Czechoslovakia German Democratic Republic Hungary Poland Romania Soviet Union The Times … —/38 80/18 —/— 211/4 260/12 55/23 138/41 Financial Times … —/37 94/8 11/— 114/6 110/— 22/— 107/— The Guardian … 8/— 21/2 —/— 38/1 150/1 11/3 —/26 Daily Telegraph … —/10 —/7 —/— 6/4 130/9 15/7 —/26 Daily Express … —/— 3/— —/— 1/1 —/2 15/3 —/9 Daily Mail … —/— —/1 —/— —/— —/2 16/1 —/4 Daily Mirror … —/— —/1 —/— —/— —/2 —/3 —/10 The Observer … 13/— 4/2 7/2 4/2 17/3 2/5 48/16 The Economist … —/48 70/27 35/6 298/39 300/84 —/33 —/18 New Statesman … —/5 —/11 —/2 —/3 —/5 —/2 —/28 Total … 21/138 272/77 53/10 672/60 967/120 136/80 293/3 The first figure given in each column relates to bulk direct sales and the second figure refers to subscription sales. Comparable figures prior to signature of the CSCE Final Act are not available.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which occasions since the signing of the Helsinki Agreement transmission by the BBC or any other public radio or television transmission originating in a signature country to the Helsinki Agreement, have been intentionally jammed for any period whatsoever in Yugoslavia, the USSR, Romania, Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia, respectively.
§ Mr. LuardThe question of the jamming of radio or television transmissions between signatory countries is likely to be examined at the main Belgrade follow up meeting. In advance of such examination the Government can only provide information on broadcasts from this country—i.e., by the BBC. The only BBC broadcasts to the listed countries which have been jammed since signature of the Final Act are those to Czechoslovakia. About half of the broadcasts to that country have been affected.
452WUnion, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Poland or Romania, although limited but irregular public sales are permitted of a few leading British newspapers in some of those countries. In Yugoslavia a wide selection of British newspapers and magazines are on general public sale, although occasional issues are withdrawn. The latest available daily/ weekly figures—May 1977—on the export to Eastern Europe—except Yugoslavia—of non-Communist newspapers published in the United Kingdom are:
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of Stale for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what steps have been taken, with reference to Basket III, Science, of the Helsinki Agreement, to implement the recommendation with regard to co-ordination of programmes or joint programmes of research into cancer or cardiovascular diseases;
(2) if he will list the titles of all books published for the first time in Yugoslavia, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Romania, Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia, respectively, since the signing of the Helsinki Agreement and made available to the general public, which were first published in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. LuardThe information requested is not readily available in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and consultation with a number of organisations will be necessary. I shall write to the hon. Member when the information he has requested is available.
453W
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the steps taken to implement the recommendation in Basket II, Aims of Co-operation, of the Helsinki Agreement, Fields of Co-operation, with regard to Legal and Administrative Measures.
§ Mr. JuddIn the Transfrontier Pollution Group of the Environment Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development the United Kingdom, having been involved in the preparation, has agreed to recommendations on legal and administrative measures for the protection of the environment, including procedures for establishing environmental impact assessments. Within the EEC, during the past two years, the United Kingdom has taken part in a working group investigating the feasibility of harmonising the rules of civil liability as they relate to environmental protection. Material has been published on both the laws on and the practices of pollution control in each of the member States.
Work has also been undertaken within the Economic Commission for Europe on this subject.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken by the Governments of Yugoslavia, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Romania, Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia, respectively, with reference to Basket III, Meetings Among Young People, of the Helsinki Agreement, to furthering contacts and exchanges among, respectively, groups of young people and young individuals.
§ Mr. LuardDetails of contacts and exchanges between young people of these countries are not available. However, projects in which British young people have been involved and which we would regard as taking place within the context of the Final Act include the following: (a) on a multilateral basis, the European Youth and Students meeting held in Warsaw in June 1976; and (b) on a bilateral basis, exchanges between the British Youth Council and the Youth Organisations of the USSR, Romania, Yugoslavia, the German Democratic Republic, Bulgaria, Hungary and Czechoslovakia.
454W
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken by the Governments of Yugoslavia, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Romania, Poland, Hungary, East Germany. Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia, respectively, with reference to Basket III, Travel for Personal and Professional Reasons of the Helsinki Agreement, to implement the statement that "religious faith, institutions, and organisations … and their representatives can, in the field of their activities, have contacts and meetings among themselves and exchange information".
§ Mr. LuardThere is evidence that impediments have been placed on the ability of representatives of religious faiths, institutions and organisations to meet and exchange information in some of the listed countries. This and questions relating to all other parts of the Final Act will require careful attention at the Belgrade follow up meeting. The Government will not be satisfied until all CSCE signatory states have taken steps to implement all the provisions on the Final Act.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all the steps taken by the Governments of Yugoslavia, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Romania, Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia, respectively, with reference to Basket III Improvement of Working Conditions for Journalists, to implement the recommendation contained therein.
§ Mr. LuardThe Soviet Union has concluded reciprocal arrangements with a number of Western countries, including the United Kingdom, for the granting of multiple entry-exit visas for permanently accredited journalists, and for improving the conditions of travel for foreign journalists based in Moscow. In addition, the Soviet Union has abolished the requirements for prior authority before journalists can send tapes and undeveloped film out of the USSR. The German Democratic Republic and the Soviet Union have also introduced legislation facilitating direct contacts between foreign journalists and official organisations. This replaces a requirement that foreign journalists obtain 455W prior permission from Ministries of Foreign Affairs. Bulgaria has recently announced the establishment of a club for foreign journalists.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all the steps taken by the Governments of Yugoslavia, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Romania, Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia respectively, with reference to Basket III, Information, of the Helsinki Agreement, to implement their stated "aim to facilitate the free and wider dissemination of information of all kinds" under the headings of (a) Oral Information, (b) Printed Information, and (c) Filmed and Broadcast Information.
§ Mr. LuardA considerable quantity of information on implementation in this area by the countries concerned is available. Co-operative projects between radio and television organisations are fairly widespread, including between those of the United Kingdom and those in the listed countries. There has been rather less progress in the field of printed information. I shall write to the hon. Member with further details.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied, with reference to Basket III, Marriage Between Citizens of Different States, of the Helsinki Agreement, with the progress made regarding these matters as they affect citizens of Yugoslavia, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Romania, Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia, respectively; how many citizens of these countries have been granted applications for travel since the signing of the Helsinki Agreement in order to marry; and by what percentage this is an increase or decrease on the figures for the previous two years.
§ Mr. LuardDifficulty over applications to travel in connection with marriage has been brought to the Government's notice in the case of only some of the countries listed. However, the Government are not satisfied that the provisions of Basket III of the Final Act on "Marriage between Citizens of Different States" are being fully implemented by all the countries concerned. It is, for example, often difficult, for the male partner particularly to456W obtain an exit visa. The Government will continue to press the Governments concerned in private representations and at the Belgrade follow up meeting to liberalise their approach to marriage cases.
Separate statistics are not kept of the number of applications for entry to the United Kingdom where marriage is stated as the reason for travel.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken by the Governments of Yugoslavia, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Romania, Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Bulgaria, and Czechoslovakia, respectively, with reference to Basket III, Co-operation in the Field of Information, of the Helsinki Agreement, to implement the recommendations contained therein.
§ Mr. LuardA considerable quantity of information is available about co-operation in the field of information between the listed countries and other signatories of the CSCE Final Act. In general, dissemination of Western printed information and the import of Western films, TV and radio programmes remains limited and selective in most of the listed countries. I shall write to the hon. Member with further details.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken by the Governments of Yugoslavia, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Romania, Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia, respectively, with reference to Basket III, Travel for Personal and Professional Reasons, of the Helsinki Agreement, "to facilitate wider travel by their citizens for personal or professional reasons".
§ Mr. LuardSince signature of the CSCE Final Act the Soviet Union has introduced certain procedural improvements in its travel regulations. The Czechoslovak Government increased the foreign currency allocation for private visits abroad in early 1976, and there has been a small increase in the number of Czechoslovak citizens travelling to the West.
457WIn December 1976 the British Government put a wide ranging package of proposals for reciprocal changes in visa procedures to the Governments of the Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland and Romania. Discussions of these proposals is continuing.
I would also refer the hon. Member to my answer to his Question on reduction of fees for applications for travel for purposes of family reunification.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what progress has been made in implemeeting the intention set out in Basket II, Questions Relating to Security and Co-operation in the Mediterranean, of the Helsinki Agreement;
(2) what progress has been made, with reference to Basket II, Economic and Commercial Information, of the Helsinki Agreement, regarding the proposed "international rule on the harmonization of statistical nomenclatures, notably in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe";
(3) what progress has been made, with reference to Basket II, Economic and Commercial Information, of the Helsinki Agreement, with the proposed study, "in the framework of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, of the possibilities of creating a multilateral system of notification of laws and regulations concerning foreign trade and changes therein";
(4) if he will list with reference to Basket II, Terms and Methods of Co-operation, of the Helsinki Agreement, the steps taken, as recommended by the Agreement, by means "existing practices of bilateral and multilateral co-operation" and "existing international organisation" since the signing of the Helsinki Agreement;
(5) if he will list the steps taken with regard to Forms and Methods of Co-operation, with reference to Basket II, Possibilities of Improving Co-operation, of the Helsinki Agreement, in the employment of (a) the "exchange and circulation of books, periodicals" etc., (b) "exchanges and visits", (c) "holding of international and national conferences", (d) "joint preparation and implementation of programmes and projects of mutual 458W interest" and (e) "use of commercial channels";
(6) if he will list the steps taken, with reference to Basket II, Possibilities for Improving Co-operation, of the Helsinki Agreement, in regard to Medicine and Public Health;
(7) if he will list the steps taken, with reference to Basket II, Possibilities forImproving Co-operation, of the Helsinki Agreement, in regard to Space Research;
(8) if he will list the steps taken with reference to Basket II, Possibilities for Improving Co-operation, of the Helsinki Agreement, in regard to "Development of computers as well as of telecommunications and information systems";
(9) if he will list the steps taken, with reference to Basket II, Possibilities forImproving Co-operation, of the Helsinki Agreement, in regard to "Research on glaciology and permafrost and problemsof life under conditions of cold";
(10) if he will list the steps taken, with reference to Basket II, Possibilities for Improving Co-operation, of the Helsinki Agreement, in regard to "Development and research on technology of seismresisting construction";
(11) if he will list the steps taken, with reference to Basket II, Possibilities for Improving Co-operation, of the Helsinki Agreement, in regard to "Study and forecasting of earthquakes an associated geological changes";
(12) if he will list the steps taken, with reference to Basket II, Possibilities for Improving Co-operation, of the Helsinki Agreement, in regard to Oceanographic research;
(13) if he will list the steps taken, with reference to Basket II, Possibilities for Improving Co-operation, of the Helsinki Agreement, in regard to Meteorological and hydrological research;
(14) if he will list the steps taken, with reference to Basket II, Possibilities for Improving Co-operation, of the Helsinki Agreement, in regard to "Practical application of the latest achievements of chemistry to industry, construction and other sectors of the economy";
(15) if he will list the steps taken, with reference to Basket II, Possibilities for Improving Co-operation, of the Helsinki Agreement, in regard to "Research of 459W problems in electrochemistry and the chemistry of polymers, of natural products, and of metal and alloys, as well as the development of improved chemical technology, especially materials processing";
(16) if he will list the steps taken, with reference to Basket II, Possibilities for Improving Co-operation, of the Helsinki Agreement, in regard to "research in the field of theoretical and experimental nuclear physics";
(17) if he will list the steps taken, with reference to Basket II, Possibilities for Improving Co-operation, of the Helsinki Agreement, in regard to "Study of problems in high energy physics and plasma physics";
(18) if he will list the steps taken, with reference to Basket II, Possibilities for Improving Co-operation, of the Helsinki Agreement, in regard to "Research on the means of transport and the technology applied to the development and operation of international, national and urban transport networks including container transport as well as transport safety";
(19) if he will list the steps taken, with reference to Basket II, Possibilities for Improving Co-operation, of the Helsinki Agreement, in regard to "Research on new technologies and equipment, designed in particular to reduce energy consumption and minimise or eliminate waste";
(20) if he will list the steps taken, with reference to Basket II, Possibilities for Improving Co-operation, of the Helsinki Agreement, in regard to "New technologies of production, transport, and distribution of energy … including nuclear, solar and geothermal energy";
(21) if he will list the steps taken, withreference to Basket II, Possibilities for Improving Co-operation, of the Helsinki Agreement, in regard to "technologies of irrigation and other agricultural land improvement works";
(22) if he will list the steps taken, with reference to Basket II, Possibilities for Improving Co-operation, of the Helsinki Agreement, in regard to "the design, construction and utilisation of agricultural machinery";
(23) if he will list the steps taken, with reference to Basket II, Possibilities for Improving Co-operation, of the Helsinki Agreement, in regard to "the application of chemistry to agriculture";
460W(24) if he will list the steps taken, with reference to Basket II, Possibilities for Improving Co-operation, of the Helsinki Agreement, in regard to "Research into new methods and technologies for increasing the productivity of crop cultivation and animal husbandry";
(25) if he will list the measures taken to implement, with reference to Basket II, Provisions Concerning Trade and Industrial Co-operation of the Helsinki Agreement in regard to the Harmonisation of Standards;
(26) if he will list, with reference to Basket II, Projects of Common Interest, of the Helsinki Agreement, what progress has been made in such proposed areas for projects on co-operation in research and the perfecting of equipment for multimodel transport operation and the handling of containers;
(27) if he will list, with reference to Basket II, Projects of Common Interest of the Helsinki Agreement, what progress has been made in such proposed areas for projects on development of road networks and co-operation aimed at establishing a coherent navigable network in Europe;
(28) if he will list, with reference to Basket II, Projects of Common Interest of the Helsinki Agreement, what progress has been made in such proposed areas for projects as "exchanges of electrical energy within Europe";
(29) if he will list, with reference to Basket II, Projects of the Common Interest of the Helsinki Agreement, what progress has been made in such proposed areas for projects as "co-operation in research for new sources of energy, and, in particular, in the field of nuclear energy".
§ Mr. JuddThe Final Act specified that the institution which should undertake the follow up of implementation multilaterally was the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. The 32nd Plenary Session of the Commission which met from 18th April to 25th April received reports on the activities of its principal subsidiary bodies, which have a large role in this activity and in which the United Kingdom plays an active and constructive part, and heard a report by the Executive Secretary. It also adopted a work programme which covers the subjects dealt with in the hon. Member's 461W Questions. These documents are being placed in the Library of the House as they become available. The Plenary Session agreed that the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Europe will if so requested make a report on multilateral implementation of the CSCE Final Act to the meeting to be held in Belgrade in the autumn about which the House will be kept fully informed.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, (1) what progress has been made in implementing the recommendation of Basket II, "Training of Personnel", of the Helsinki Agreement;
(2) what progress has been made in implementing the recommendation in Basket II "Promotion of Tourism", of the Helsinki Agreement, that there could be studies on "uniformity of hotel classification", and "tourist routes comprising two or more countries";
(3) what progress has been made in implementing, with reference to Basket II, "Promotion of Tourism", of the Helsinki Agreement, the recommendation to "carry out … detailed studies" in "problems arising in areas where tourism has injured the environment";
(4) if he will list the steps taken by the Government of Bulgaria, with reference to Basket II, "Promotion of Tourism", of the Helsinki Agreement, to implement their stated intention to increase tourism on, respectively, an "individual and group basis";
(5) what progress has been made in implementing, with reference to Basket II, "Promotion of Tourism", of the Helsinki Agreement, the recommendation to "carry out detailed studies" on "problems raised by the seasonal concentration of vacations";
(6) what progress has been made in implementing, with reference to Basket II "Promotion of Tourism", of the Helsinki Agreement, the recommendation to "carry out … detailed studies" on "the status and activities of travel agencies as well as on ways and means of achieving better co-operation among them";
(7) if he will list the steps taken by the Government of Romania, with reference to Basket II, "Promotion of Tourism", 462W of the Helsinki Agreement, to implement their stated intention to increase tourism on, respectively, an "individual and group basis";
(8) if he will list the steps taken by the Government of Poland, with reference to Basket II, "Promotion of Tourism", of the Helsinki Agreement, to implement their stated intention to increase tourism on, respectively, an "individual and group basis";
(9) if he will list the steps taken by the Government of Hungary, with reference to Basket II, "Promotion of Tourism", of the Helsinki Agreement, to implement their stated intention to increase tourism on, respectively, an individual and group basis";
(10) if he will list the steps taken by the Government of the German Democratic Republic, with reference to Basket II "Promotion of Tourism", of the Helsinki Agreement, to implement their stated intention to increase tourism on, respectively, an "individual and group basis";
(11) if he will list the steps taken by the Government of Czechoslovakia, with reference to Basket II, "Promotion of Tourism", of the Helsinki Agreement, to implement their stated intention to increase tourism on, respectively, an "individual and group basis";
(12) if he will list the steps taken by the Government of Yugoslavia, with reference to Basket II "Promotion of Tourism", of the Helsinki Agreement, to implement their stated intention to in crease tourism on, respectively, an "individual and group basis";
(13) if he will list the steps taken by the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, with reference to Basket II "Promotion of Tourism", of the Helsinki Agreement, to implement their stated intention to increase tourism on, respectively, an "individual and group basis".
§ Mr. JuddThe information requested is not readily available and is still being collected. I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as our inquiries have been completed. These questions among others, will be dealt with at the CSCE Review Meeting to be held later this year at Belgrade.
463W
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the number of United Kingdom residents who visited, for whatever purpose, Yugoslavia, the USSR, Romania, Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia, respectively, in the 12 months before the
Thousands Visits* by United Kingdom residents to: Yugoslavia USSR/Romania/ Poland/Hungary/ East Germany/ Bulgaria/ Czechoslovakia† 12 months ending: June 1975‡ … … … … … … 163 335 December 1976 … … … … … … 198 356 * All tourist (including business) visits of less than 12 months. † No analysis of these countries separately is available. ‡ Information is analysed quarterly: the period shown is the closest to that requested.