§ Mr. John Grantasked the Lord Privy Seal if, consequent upon the failure of the Soviet authorities to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Islington, Central to the Soviet Ambassador of 3 January 1981 on the case of Mr. G. J. A. Raffé and his wish to leave the Soviet Union, he will now make further representations to the Soviet authorities on this matter.
§ Mr. BlakerThe British Government make regular representations to the Soviet authorities about a number of individuals, including Mr. Raffé, who have repeatedly been refused exit visas from the Soviet Union. Our most recent approaches were in London and Moscow last month. Action is also being taken with the Soviet delegation at the CSCE review conference in Madrid. We hope that the Soviet authorities will respond speedily and positively to these representations.