HC Deb 20 February 1980 vol 979 cc224-5W
Mr. Cyril D. Townsend

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will give the average length of stay of the 65 Soviet inspectors in the United Kingdom who are monitoring the manufacture of goods and equipment to be delivered to the Soviet Union.

Mr. Blaker

The 65 Soviet inspectors presently in the United Kingdom have been here for an average of one year and two weeks.

Mr. Cyril D. Townsend

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will list the names and addresses of the British companies to which the 65 Soviet inspectors monitoring the manufacture of goods and equipment to be delivered to the Soviet Union under export contract are attached.

Mr. Blaker

This information is confidential as between the Government and the companies concerned.

Mr. Cyril D. Townsend

asked the Lord Privy Seal what restrictions have been placed on the activities of the 65 Soviet inspectors in the United Kingdom who are monitoring the manufacture of goods and equipment to be delivered to the Soviet Union.

Mr. Blaker

Soviet inspectors resident in the United Kingdom are subject to a travel notification scheme. This requires those who are resident in London to give at least two working days' notice of travel to destinations beyond 35 miles from central London. Those resident outside London are required to give one working day's notice of travel outside the immediate area of their residence. Soviet inspectors are also normally required to apply for extensions of their stay in this country every four months.

Mr. Cyril D. Townsend

asked the Lord Privy Seal what restrictions are placed on the number of Soviet inspectors of goods being exported to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Mr. Blaker

All Soviet inspectors entering this country are required to demonstrate that they are needed here under the terms of particular contracts and that they qualify for entry under the immigration rules. There are no numerical limits on the number of inspectors permitted to work here at any one time.

Mr. Cyril D. Townsend

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many Soviet inspectors of goods were at work in Great Britain in each of the last five years.

Mr. Blaker

This information is not readily available. When it is assembled, I shall circulate it in theOfficial Report.