§ Mr. David Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his discussions on Afghanistan during his recent visit to the Soviet Union.
§ Mr. EggarMy right hon. and learned Friend made clear to Mr. Shevardnadze, as did my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to Mr. Gorbachev, that we would support a neutral and non-aligned Afghanistan, but that this could emerge only by early Soviet withdrawal and the creation of conditions enabling the Afghan people freely to decide their own future.