HC Deb 05 December 1975 vol 901 cc387-9W
Mr. Onslow

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Soviet inspectors of industrial equipment exports to the Soviet Union were resident in the United Kingdom on 1st March 1974.

Mr. Hattersley

On 1st March there were 31 inspectors with visas for periods of longer than three months. There were also some inspectors in the United Kingdom on short-term visits of less than three months.

Mr. Onslow

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what restrictions are applied to the movements within the United Kingdom of Soviet inspectors of industrial equipment exports to the Soviet Union; and how these compare with the restrictions applied to the movements of other Soviet officials resident in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Hattersley

Soviet inspectors who receive visas for periods longer than three months are subject to the Travel Notification Scheme. According to this Scheme, Soviet inspectors resident in London are required to give the Foreign and Commonwealth Office two working days' notice of their intention to travel beyond a 35-miles radius of the centre of London. Inspectors who reside in the provinces are required to give one working day's notice to the local police of their intention to travel beyond the boundaries of the town or district where they are resident. In all cases, full details of itineraries are required.

The Travel Notification Scheme applies equally to all Soviet officials who receive visas for periods longer than three months. The only exception is the Soviet Ambassador who, together with his family, personal interpreter and personal driver, is permitted to travel within the United Kingdom without prior notification to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Mr. Onslow

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of the Soviet inspectors of industrial equipment exports to the Soviet Union are accompanied by their families.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

I have been asked to reply.

Thirty-eight.

Mr. Onslow

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of the Soviet inspectors of industrial equipment exports to the Soviet Union are resident in Scotland.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

I have been asked to reply.

One.

Mr. Onslow

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in the Official Report the British firms exporting to the Soviet Union who have Soviet inspectors attached to them.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

I have been asked to reply.

The firms are:

  • V. A. Afif Ltd.
  • John Brown Engineering (Clydebank) Ltd.
  • C.J.B. (Constructors John Brown) Ltd.
  • Clark International Marketing.
  • City & West East Ltd.
  • Dimo International Ltd.
  • M. Golodetz (Overseas) Ltd.
  • Girling Ltd.
  • Global Watches.
  • Hartle-Stedall Ltd.
  • International Computers Ltd.
  • Kellogg International Corporation.
  • Machine Tool Agencies.
  • Nikreis Maritime Company Ltd.
  • Prinex Ltd. (Courtaulds)
  • Satra Motors Ltd.
  • Serck Controls.
  • Sim Chem Ltd.
  • Simon Carves Ltd.
  • Singer Company (U.K.) Ltd.
  • Staveley Machine Tools Ltd.
  • Stone Wallwork Ltd.
  • Swan Hunter Shipbuilders Ltd.
  • Vickers Ltd.
  • Wilkinson Sword Ltd.

Mr. Onslow

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of the Soviet inspectors of industrial equipment exports to the Soviet Union are attached to firms with premises in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

I have been asked to reply.

None.