HC Deb 17 February 1986 vol 92 cc26-7W
Mr. Alex Carlile

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made since 1 January 1985 to the Polish authorities concerning the imprisonment of political dissenters and other abuses of human rights in Poland; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Renton

During his visit to Warsaw in April 1985, my right hon. and learned Friend stressed our concern that progress towards internal reconciliation in Poland should be maintained, and spoke very frankly to his hosts of our deep anxiety about moves in a contrary direction, giving examples. On 16 May my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Edinburgh, Pentlands (Mr. Rifkind), the then Minister of State, repeated out concerns to the Polish ambassador. On 19 June my right hon. and learned Friend asked the Polish ambassador to call and said that the prison sentences imposed on Mr. Lis, Mr. Michnik and Mr. Frasyniuk had caused dismay in Britain. He also mentioned other indications of increasing repression. He spoke similarly to the Polish Foreign Minister when they met at Helsinki on 30 July. On 14 November my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Pentlands repeated our concerns to the Polish Deputy Foreign Minister when the latter visited London.

On 4 December my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Pentlands asked the Polish ambassador to call and expressed our concern at measures designed to restrict academic freedom in Poland. On 3 February I expressed concern to the Polish ambassador about developments, in particular the decision to put Lech Walesa on trial. On 6 February I repeated our concerns to the group of Polish parliamentarians visiting London under IPU auspices.