HL Deb 30 November 1978 vol 396 cc1470-2WA
Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDE

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Soviet Minister of Shipping was received by them, representatives of the Opposition, the General Council of British Shipping or any other bodies during his recent visit to the United Kingdom; and whether any favourable results were forthcoming on the present dispute with the Soviet authorities over the undercutting of the freight charges of our mercantile marine.

Baroness STEDMAN

The Soviet Minister of Merchant Marine has not visited the United Kingdom since his official visit in June 1977. A senior official from the Foreign Relations Department of the Soviet Ministry of Merchant Marine was recently in the United Kingdom on a private visit. He had informal discussions with officials from the Department of Trade.

There were no new developments as regards our concerns over the practices of Soviet lines.

House adjourned at twenty-four minutes before seven o'clock.