§ 78. Mr. Tom Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government are considering any new initiatives for improving East-West relations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonWe are promoting a full programme of contacts at all levels with the Soviet Union and the countries of Eastern Europe. The best contribution to an improvement in East-West relations would be progress in arms control negotiations, which requires a serious Soviet response to western negotiating positions in Geneva, Vienna and Stockholm; progress in the CSCE process and over respect for human rights; and the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan.