§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent visit to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics of 608W the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Renton) and, in particular, on his discussions about chemical weapons with the Soviet authorities.
§ Mr. RentonI visited Moscow and Leningrad from 13 to 18 January. I had two and a half hours discussion with the Soviet Foreign Minister, as well as meetings with Mr. Bodrynin, head of the Central Committee's international department, First Deputy Foreign Minister Kovalev and other Soviet officials, and a prominent refusnik, Professor Lerner. Arms control was the main subject, but human rights, bilateral and regional questions were also discussed. On chemical weapons, the Soviet authorities confirmed that they wish to continue discussions in Geneva on the basis of the British proposals for challenge inspection.