§ 43. Mr. LeighTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's current relations with the Soviet Union.
§ Mr. MellorMy right hon. Friend the Prime Minister paid a highly successful visit to the Soviet Union in March and held talks with Mr. Gorbachev in an excellent atmosphere on 7 December at Brize Norton. My right hon. and learned Friend will be visiting the Soviet Union early next year and other high-level visits in both directions are also planned. The current health of the relationship depends on mutual respect and frank speaking, including on issues such as human rights and Afghanistan.