HC Deb 20 December 1982 vol 34 cc407-8W
Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 14 December to the right hon. Member for Western Isles (Mr. Stewart), Official Report, c. 113, what information he has as to which peace movements encouraged and financed by the Soviet Union are acknowledged by that country as being so supported.

Mr. Blaker

The Soviet Union largely finances the World Peace Council—which has its headquarters in Helsinki—and its national ancillaries. As Ministers have previously stated, the WPC is a disguised instrument of Soviet foreign policy. Discussions of the WPC's governmental funding caused the withdrawal of its application for consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council in February 1981. The British affiliate of the WPC is the British Peace Assembly.