§ Mr. John HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Government's policy towards people to people links between citizens in the United Kingdom and those abroad and, in particular, links with people in the Soviet Union and the countries of the eastern bloc; and what measures are being taken to encourage people-to-people relations.
§ Mr. WaldegraveWe are strongly committed to increasing direct contacts between people in this country and those in the Soviet Union and eastern Europe. The success of this policy depends, however, on the approach adopted by the other countries involved. In some cases direct contacts are developing rapidly as east European Governments lift longstanding restrictions on their citizens. But in other cases little or no progress has been made because the Governments concerned still prevent their own people from travelling abroad and discourage Western visitors.