HC Deb 03 December 1986 vol 106 cc646-7W
23. Mr. Dykes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has had discussions with the Soviet authorities in recent weeks concerning human rights.

Mr. Renton

My right hon. and learned Friend raised human rights with the Soviet Foreign Minister, Mr. Shevardnadze, at his meeting with him in Vienna on 4 November. We shall continue to take every suitable opportunity to raise with the Soviet authorities our concerns on this score.

26. Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will indicate the number of occasions since June 1983 that he has raised the issue of human rights with the Soviet Government.

Mr. Renton

My right hon. and learned Friend has raised the issue of human rights with Soviet leaders on 10 occasions since June 1983, and most recently on 4 November with Mr. Shevardnadze in Vienna. We will continue to take every suitable opportunity to represent to the Soviet authorities the extent of public and parliamentary concern about their performance on this most important issue.

77. Mr. Gourlay

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent meeting with Mr. Shevardnadze, the Soviet Foreign Minister.

Mr. Renton

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Terlezki) on 18 November, at column143.

87. Mr. Hayes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what pressure is being brought on the Soviet Government concerning their breaches of human rights under the Helsinki agreement.

Mr. Renton

We and our Western partners raise human rights abuses regularly with the Soviet authorities at the CSCE follow up meeting in Vienna. We also do so in bilateral contacts.

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