HC Deb 12 May 1986 vol 97 cc347-9W
Mr. Terlezki

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's current relations with the Soviet Union;

(2) what representations have been made to the Government of the Soviet Union regarding the lack of progress towards democracy in that country; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Renton

We seek a more productive relationship with the Soviet Union based on dialogue and contact at many levels. To this end, we have promoted a full programme of bilateral exchanges covering many areas.

This policy does not imply approval of the Soviet system of government. In discussions with the Russians and in the conference on security and co-operation in Europe we criticise aspects of Soviet practice, including the denial of human rights and of freedoms enjoyed in the West.

Mr. Terlezki

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make representations to the Government of the Soviet Union regarding that country's adherence to the Vienna International Atomic Agency agreement; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

We have made a number of requests for information to the Soviet Government about the Chernobyl accident. As a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency they are expected to provide full information about it. We anticipate that the agency will have a major role in assessing the consequences of the Chernobyl accident and recommending action for member states based on its conclusions.

Mr. Terlezki

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures are being taken by Her Majesty's Government to seek to encourage more visits by ordinary citizens from the Soviet Union to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Renton

We wish to promote better contacts between the peoples of the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom, and more visits by Soviet citizens. We are currently pressing for better contacts at the conference on security and co-operation in Europe expert meeting on human contacts in Berne. Soviet abolition of exit visas would be the best means of encouraging more travel by Soviet citizens.

Mr. Terlezki

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what part Her Majesty's Government are playing in international efforts to bring about a closer understanding between the 50 million Ukrainians in the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Renton

We play a leading part in efforts within the conference on security and co-operation in Europe to bring about better understanding between the peoples of the Soviet Union, including the Ukrainians, and those of the United Kingdom. A meeting is currently taking place in Berne on human contacts.

Mr. Terlezki

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the latest response by the Soviet Union in the implementation of human rights provision in the Helsinki agreement; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Renton

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, East (Mr. Knowles) on 4 March at column 89. There has been no discernible improvement in the human rights situation in the Soviet Union recently. We shall continue to raise with the Soviet authorities on every suitable occasion their shortcomings in implementing the human rights provisions of the Helsinki Final Act.

Mr. Terlezki

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens are at present employed in the Ukraine in the construction industry, education, the medical field, agriculture and technology; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

Her Majesty's embassy in Moscow is in touch with the one British subject, an engineer, known to be in western Ukraine. The embassy knows of a party of 25 students who were due to leave Yalta on 10 May for Moscow and of a British teacher in Kharkov. Neither Yalta nor Kharkov have been the subject of advisory warnings of areas not to be visited.