§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if the information given to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East in his letter of 11 January, about the continuing entry to British ports of Soviet merchant and passenger vessels, has been communicated to the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics;
(2) what discussions are taking place, or are proposed, with the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics concerning continued access to British ports by Soviet merchant vessels.
§ Mr. David MitchellThere have been a number of discussions between my Department and the Soviet authorities concerning possible amendments to the Anglo-Soviet treaty of merchant navigation. It would not be appropriate to reveal the proposals that have been made by either side while these discussions are continuing.