HC Deb 03 July 1980 vol 987 cc700-1W
Mr. Lawrence

asked the Lord Privy Seal what action he has taken following the most recent cases of Russian harassment of British tourists in the Soviet Union; and what response he has so far received.

Mr. Blaker

I summoned the Soviet Ambassador on 17 June and protested about a number of recent cases of harassment and intimidation. A reply was given to our Ambassador in Moscow on 27 June. This dismissed my representations as provocative and based on unsubstantiated allegations. The Soviet allegation is itself unsubstantiated: the cases which I raised had been carefully researched and my remarks were based on accounts provided by those involved. All these cases had previously been raised by our Embassy in Moscow with the Soviet authorities but without satisfactory response.