HC Deb 22 May 1978 vol 950 cc446-7W
Mr Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in furtherance of the Helsinki Agreement, consideration was given to sending a representative of the British Embassy to the Orlov trial on the first day in Moscow which was attended by a United States representative; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Luard

The Soviet authorities can have no doubt about the Government's attitude to the case of Professor Orlov, from my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's statement in the Hopse on 18th May—[Vol. 950, c. 771]—and from the views which my right hon. Friend has expressed about the harsh and unjustifiable treatment given to him. Foreign representatives were not allowed to attend the trial and my right hon. Friend does not believe that the presence outside the court of an embassy representative would have added to our statements.

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