HC Deb 13 May 1986 vol 97 cc432-3W
Mr. Wilkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has received since the beginning of March seeking information about four Ukrainian women prisoners of conscience, Iryna Ratushynska, Sophia Bilyak, Olena Hermaniuk, and Olha Matusevych, from (a) Members of Parliament and (b) members of the public; and whether those who have made representations to him in writing have yet received replies.

Mr. Renton

Since the beginning of March my right hon. and learned Friend has received 16 representations from right hon. and hon. Members referring to these four cases, to which replies have been sent. He has also received more than 1,000 printed circulars listing the four cases, sent by members of the public on behalf of the Association of Ukrainian Women, and has acknowledged these in a reply to the president of the association. In addition, and within the same time scale, my right hon. and learned Friend has received some 160 representations from right hon. and hon. Members and some 60 representations from members of the public which refer solely to the case of Irina Ratushinskaya. Most of these have already received replies, and the remainder will receive them shortly.