HC Deb 24 June 1980 vol 987 cc114-5W
Mr. Denis Howell

asked the Lord Privy Seal what arrangements exist for supporting British trade delegations when in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; how many trade missions have taken place to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the current year; and whether he is satisfied that support from the British Embassy for trade delegations does not imply that Her Majesty's Government condone the Russian aggression in Afghanistan.

Mr. Hurd

British trade delegations in the Soviet Union can call on the facilities and assistance of the British Embassy in Moscow. Such support in no way implies that Her Majesty's Government condone the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. One officially supported trade mission has visited the Soviet Union so far in 1980.