§ Mr. Robert Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further advice, in view of student strikes and demonstrations in Vienna, he is offering to British organisations and individuals invited to the Seventh Youth Festival due to be held there in July.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe organisers of these Festivals call them representative gatherings promoting peace and friendship. In fact they are tightly controlled by Communists and are designed solely to advance the aims of the Soviet Government. I therefore repeat the advice given by my right hon. and learned Friend on 25th July last year, that reputable organisations should have nothing to do with the Festival, that even the dispatch of an observer is liable to be misrepresented, and that individuals who may choose to attend the Festival should make it clear that they represent themselves only. Many young people evidently have already no illusions about Communist control of these festivals. From the vast demonstration which took place in Vienna on 7th March, it appears that Austrian students themselves are well aware that the forthcoming Festival is designed to serve Soviet aims.