§ 33. Mr. Terry Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response Her Majesty's Government have made to the memorandum giving new life to the Helsinki accords signed by opposition and human rights representatives from eastern Europe and submitted to the conference on security and co-operation in Europe in Vienna.
§ Mr. RentonI assume that the hon. Member is referring to an appeal signed by individuals in four eastern European countries published at the time of the 30th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian uprising. In a statement on 24 October, my right hon. and learned Friend welcomed the appeal as a courageous statement of belief in traditional European values, and noted that the Vienna CSCE meeting provided an opportunity for participating states to give further effect to those values. A copy of his statement has been placed in the Library of the House.
§ 50. Dr. Blackburnasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what matters have been raised by the United Kingdom delegation at the Helsinki review conference in Vienna; and whether any progress has been made in the area of human rights.
§ Mr. RentonOur delegation has raised a wide range of issues, including those relevant to Soviet and east European human rights performance. It is too early to say whether our efforts will result in real advances in the area of human rights.
§ 91. Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the subject of immigration and freedom of movement has been discussed at the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe in Vienna; and whether any progress has been made in the discussion.
§ Mr. RentonYes, by our Delegation and by others. The head of the Soviet CSCE delegation in Vienna has referred to newly published Soviet legislation relating to travel, which we shall study carefully, but which at first sight does not appear to introduce relaxations.