Vashchenco and Chmyknalov Families (Moscow)

HC Deb 03 February 1982 vol 17 cc132-3W

Mr. George Robertson

asked the Prime Minister if she will make an offer of asylum in the United Kingdom to the seven members of the Vashchenco and Chmyknalov families who have for three and a half years been in refuge in the United States embassy in Moscow.

The Prime Minister

While it is unlikely that the Soviet authorities would react any more favourably to a request for the two families to travel to Britain than to the United States, where the United States Administration have already said they may settle, we would nevertheless be willing to receive them here if they so wished. The British Government continue to hope that direct negotiation between the United States and Soviet Union will secure their early departure.