§ 16. Mr. Gorstasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information is available to him on the trends in Jewish emigration permitted by the Soviet authorities.
§ Mr. RentonJewish emigration from the Soviet Union has fallen to an unacceptably low level since its high point in the late 1970s. I met Ambassador Kashlev, head of the Soviet delegation to the CSCE review conference, in Moscow last week and made it clear to him that we expect to see a reversal of this trend.
§ 42. Mr. Amessasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his assessment of the consequences for Anglo-Soviet relations of Mr. Gorbachev's declared intention of more openness in Soviet society.
§ Mr. RentonThe Soviet system is highly intolerant of free information. Greater openness, of which there are some limited signs, would be a significant and encouraging 597W development. It could help create the conditions for greater mutual understanding between our countries and peoples.
§ Mr. Allen McKayasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will raise with the Soviet Foreign Minister the subject of that country's compliance with its obligations under basket 3 of the Helsinki agreements, with particular reference to the recently published Soviet regulations on emigration from the Union Soviet Socialist Republics.
§ Mr. RentonI raised this question during my meetings with Soviet Ministers and officials in Moscow last week. I urged that there should be an increase in the level of Jewish emigration, and that it should become easier for all those who wish to do so to leave the Soviet Union.