HC Deb 18 December 1968 vol 775 cc377-8W
46. Mr. Palmer

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government on the exchange of confidential scientific and technical information in the defence field since the agreement between Her Majesty's Government and Russia for scientific and technical exchanges made in 1965 and renewed in 1967.

Mr. Healey:

There are two agreements between Her Majesty's Government and the Soviet Government. One on relations in the scientific, technological, educational and cultural fields was signed in 1959 and renewed, as provided for, at two-yearly intervals, most recently in 1965 and 1967. The Anglo-Soviet Technological Agreement, discussed during Mr. Kosygin's visit last year, was signed on 19th January, 1968.

Discussions between Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government involving exchange of confidential scientific and technical information in the defence field go on continuously in the numerous areas where we have mutual interests. These exchanges are in no way affected by the Anglo-Soviet Agreement which encourages closer industrial contacts under the auspices of the C.B.I. and does not involve defence in any way. The United States also have an agreement on scientific exchanges with the Soviet Union.