HC Deb 02 August 1976 vol 916 c562W
Mr. Lawrence

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any further steps have been taken in addition to making available written advice only on request, to ensure that every British subject visiting the USSR as a private tourist is made aware of the penalties for infringements of the Russian penal code and the dangers of approach by Russian citizens who might seek to compromise such tourists.

Mr. Tomlinson

Following the hon. Member's Question on this subject on 1st April 1974, the guidance notes which we send to people who ask us about visits to the Soviet Union were expanded. I am sending a copy to the hon. Member. The notes are kept under review to ensure that they are up to date and copies are held by many travel and trade organisations, some of which distribute copies to their customers, while others have incorporated the advice in their own leaflets.

It is difficult to see what more can be done to ensure that information is distributed to individual travellers or that they take heed of it. However, if the hon. Member has any suggestions I should be glad to consider them.