HC Deb 05 June 1967 vol 747 cc97-8W
64. Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his visit to Russia.

70. Mr. Blaker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent visit to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

75. Mr. Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent talks with Soviet leaders in Moscow.

81. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his visit to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

87. Mr. G. Campbell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Moscow.

Mr. George Brown

I had useful exchanges with the Soviet Government on a number of international and bilateral questions. Much of the discussion centred on the Middle East crisis and we affirmed our common interest in seeking to prevent the outbreak of war. We also discussed Vietnam, disarmament and European questions; and I explained the political considerations which were implicit in our application to join the European Economic Community. No specific conclusions were reached, but these were frank and friendly exchanges which served to clarify our understanding of each other's policies and formed part of the continuing process of discussion between the two Governments.

Much of my programme had to be cut when the visit was shortened but I was able to give an address on British foreign policy to an invited Soviet audience and also to answer questions from Soviet journalists. I took the opportunity to put Her Majesty's Government's views on major international questions in unambiguous terms.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent, during his recent visit to Moscow, the question of Britain's entry into the Common Market was discussed; and if he will make a statement on the conclusions reached.

Mr. George Brown

I had useful exchanges with the Soviet Government on a number of international and bilateral questions. Much of the discussion centred on the Middle East crisis and we affirmed our common interest in seeking to prevent the outbreak of war. We also discussed Vietnam, disarmament and European questions; and I explained the political considerations which were implicit in our application to join the European Economic Community. No specific conclusions were reached but these were frank and friendly exchanges which served to clarify our understanding of each other's policies and formed part of the continuing process of discussion between the two Governments.

Much of my programme had to be cut when the visit was shortened but I was able to give an address on British foreign policy to an invited Soviet audience and also to answer questions from Soviet journalists. I took the opportunity to put Her Majesty's Government's views on major international questions in unambiguous terms.

Forward to