Soviet Union (Hansard, 24 February 1976)

§ Mr. Wall
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what restrictions exist for Soviet visitors 133W to Great Britain; and for British visitors to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

§ Mr. Ennals
Soviet citizens who wish to visit this country must obtain a visa before entering the United Kingdom. Similarly, British citizens wishing to travel to the Soviet Union must obtain a Soviet visa.

§ Sir Frederic Bennett
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what restriction exists for British diplomats travelling in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and on Soviet diplomats travelling in Great Britain.

§ Mr. Ennals
British diplomats in the Soviet Union, together with their families, are required to give the Soviet authorities at least two working days' notice of their intention to travel beyond a 40-kilometre radius of the centre of Moscow. A few towns and highways in the Moscowoblast—province—are, however, open to notification-free travel by British diplomats. One working day's notice is required for journeys by road along certain prescribed motor tourist routes. The British Ambassador, his family and personal driver/interpreter may travel without prior notification to the open towns and areas of the Soviet Union. Large areas within the 40-kilometre zone centred on Moscow; within the Moscow province; and in the Soviet Union as a whole are formally out of bounds to foreigners.
Soviet diplomats in the United Kingdom, together with their families, are subject to the requirements of the travel notification scheme. Soviet diplomats must give the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at least two working days' notice of their intention to travel beyond a 35-mile radius of the centre of London. Notification is not required for journeys to the Soviet Embassy's country house at Seacox Heath, nor for road journeys to Hastings, Bexhill, St. Leonards, Rye, Winchelsea and Hawkhurst. The Soviet Ambassador, together with his family, personal interpreter and personal driver, is allowed to travel within the United Kingdom without prior notification to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. There are no closed areas, as such in the United Kingdom to which foreigners may not travel.