§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he proposes to make any representations to the Polish Government concerning the continued imprisonment of Bogdan Lis; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he proposes to make any representations to the Polish Government against the practice of blacklisting from employment former leaders of the Solidarity movement, such as Zbigniew Bogacz; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RifkindMy visit to Poland early next month will provide an opportunity to make a first-hand personal assessment, to talk to representatives of all opinion in Poland and to discuss this and other issues.
§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will inform the Polish Government that improved individual rights, and political and religious freedom, are a prerequisite of British economic support for the Polish economy; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RifkindWe and other Governments are engaged in debt rescheduling negotiations with Poland in the hope of receiving some payment of Poland's substantial official debt to Western creditors. The possibility of economic support, in the form of Government-backed trade credits for Poland, is a longer term one and depends on many factors, including:
- (i) the need first to see a debt rescheduling agreement in place and successfully operating; and
- (ii) judgments on Poland's capacity to repay further debt.