§ Mr. Bendallasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many trade delegations from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics have visited the United Kingdom in accordance with existing agreements between the two countries since 1968; and what industries they have visited.
§ Mr. ParkinsonExisting agreements relating to trade matters do not themselves provide for the visits of trade delegations to the United Kingdom. Details are not readily available of visits that have taken place since 1968.
§ Mr. Bendallasked the Secretary of State for Trade what technology, scientific knowledge and know-how has been provided to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in accordance with current treaties and agreements between the two countries; and to what extent this information is of potential use in military equipment.
§ Mr. ParkinsonThe Soviet Union has received information on a range of subjects, including standards, plasma physics, coal mining, road and traffic planning methodology, corrosion and astronomy; I have no reason to believe that any of this information was of direct military potential.
§ Mr. Bendallasked the Secretary of State for Trade what capital plant and equipment has been sold to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics since 1968; and on what terms.
§ Mr. ParkinsonDetails of trade in capital plant and equipment with individual countries are not readily available. The terms of sale were a matter for the companies concerned.
§ Mr. Bendallasked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the current extent of credit outstanding to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and when and how payment is expected.
§ Mr. ParkinsonI have no information on the total amount of credit made available to the Soviet Union by British lenders. The repayment period would of course depend upon the terms of these loans. It would also be contrary to normal practice to disclose details of ECGD's commitments on an individual market.
§ Mr. Bendallasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many British trade delegations and advisory experts have visited the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in accordance with current treaties and agreements between the two countries since 1968; and what industries they have visited.
§ Mr. ParkinsonCurrent treaties and agreements relating to trade matters do not themselves provide for the visits of British trade delegations and advisory experts to the Soviet Union. Details are not readily available of visits that have taken place since 1968.
§ Mr. Bendallasked the Secretary of State for Trade what technology and scientific knowledge have been passed to the United Kingdom in accordance with current treaties and agreements between the United Kingdom and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
§ Mr. ParkinsonThe United Kingdom has received information on a range of subjects, including the steel industry, electrical supply and transmission, coal mining, nuclear energy, plasma physics, and tribology.
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§ Mr. Bendallasked the Secretary of State for Trade what work has already been completed, and what further long-term programmes have been prepared, by the Permanent United Kingdom/Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Intergovernmental Commission for Co-operation in the Fields of Applied Science and Technology, Trade and Economic Relations.
§ Mr. ParkinsonThe main task of the joint commission at each of its meetings has been to review the whole range of co-operation activities falling within its terms of reference. There have been two long-term programmes—Cmnd. 5924—which were drawn up in 1975; these identified items of potential interest to both sides, some of which have led to the exchange of information and to commercial opportunities.
§ Mr. Bendallasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish the names of those at present representing the two countries on the Permanent United Kingdom/ Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Intergovernmental Commission for Co-operation in the Fields of Applied Science and Technology, Trade and Economic Relations;i when the commission was established; and how often it meets.
§ Mr. ParkinsonParticipation at meetings of the joint commission varies according to the subjects to be discussed and has included British business men as well as Government representatives. At the last session of the joint commission in October 1979, I led the British delegation. Mr. Kuzmin, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade, was the Soviet co-chairman. The joint commission was set up in 1970 and first met in January 1971. It meets at roughly 12-month intervals, alternately in London and Moscow.