§ 24. Mr. Hastingsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communcation he has had recently with the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and with other Communist Governments about the persecution and imprisonment of political dissenters.
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§ Mr. LuardIt is the Government's policy to ensure that other Governments are aware of the legitimate concern of the people of this country about respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in all parts of the world. In registering this concern the Government have to take into account not only the available facts but the need to develop a framework of relations with other Governments within which human rights can be discussed and enlarged. I consider that to give details of communications between Her Majesty's Government and other Governments on this subject would diminish their effectiveness.