HC Deb 24 July 1985 vol 83 c582W
19. Mr. Sumberg

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the United Kingdom delegation to the conference on co-operation and security in Europe in Ottawa raised the issue of the freedom of individuals to practise their chosen profession without being subjected to religious or racial discrimination

Sir Geoffrey Howe

This was indeed one of the points that was strongly pressed by the United Kingdom delegation with particular reference to the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.

36. Mr. Woodall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the proceedings and recent human rights conference at Ottawa indicating the progress made in the implementation of the human rights provisions of the Helsinki final act in the Union of Soviet Social Republics.

Mr. Luce

The Meeting took place from 7 May to 17 June. We regret that it was unable to fulfil its mandate to produce conclusions and recommendations. However, United Kingdom representatives were able to make clear to the Soviet Union and other eastern European countries our concerns about their implementation of the Helsinki and Madrid human rights provisions.