HL Deb 29 June 1977 vol 384 cc1212-4WA
Lord HYLTON

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they are making to the Government of Yugoslavia following the sudden expulsion from Belgrade of Mrs. D. Gainsford, Mrs. L. Isaacs and Mrs. P. Allim, who were representing the Women's Campaign for Soviet Jewry.

The MINISTER of STATE, FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (Lord Goronwy-Roberts)

On the 17th June, Her Majesty's Ambassador in Belgrade expressed surprise and regret to the Yugoslav Federal Secretariat for Foreign Affairs at the Yugoslav action in detaining and subsequently expelling from Yugoslavia on the 16th June representatives of the Women's Campaign for Soviet Jewry, including three British citizens. The Ambassador expressed the hope that, if the Yugoslav authorities should contemplate similar action in future, they would handle the matter differently, and in accordance with the Anglo-Yugoslav Consular Convention of 1965.

In reply, the Yugoslays made the point, among other things, that they did not wish there to be interference with the normal working of the CSCE meeting. The Ambassador made it clear that, in the Government's view, demonstrations or intended demonstrations need not have this effect.

House adjourned at eighteen minutes before eight o'clock.