§ 28. Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings have been held between Foreign Office Ministers and their Soviet counterparts.
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§ Mr. RentonI held discussions in Moscow on 14 and 15 January with the Soviet Foreign Minister, Mr. Shevardnadze, and with First Deputy Foreign Minister Kovalev.
§ 29. Mr. Richard Shepherdasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent developments in the granting of exit visas to dissidents in the Soviet Union.
§ Mr. RentonThere has been welcome evidence of movement in the reports that exit visas are to be granted to the imprisoned dissidents, Anatoly Koryagin and Sergei Khodorovich and that others are to be released, but many continue to suffer imprisonment and persecution for their beliefs and to be denied exit visas. We shall keep up the pressure upon the Soviet authorities for improvement across the board in their human rights performance.
§ 31. Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relations with the Soviet Union.
§ Mr. RentonWe are conducting an active dialogue with the Soviet authorities with the aim of securing progress in arms control and on regional questions, including Afghanistan; greater respect for human rights; an increase in trade; and more contacts between people at all levels. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will pursue these questions when she visits Moscow.
§ 33. Mr. James Lamondasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any Ministers from his Department will accompany the Prime Minister during her forthcoming visit to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonYes. My right hon. and learned Friend will accompany my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.
§ 36. Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what initiatives he is taking in the context of relations with the Soviet Union.
§ Mr. RentonWe are playing a leading part in working for progress in arms control and for improvement in the Soviet human rights record. Over the last year we have developed co-operation in energy and agriculture. We look for an increase in bilateral trade.
§ 38. Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assurances were received from the Soviet Foreign Minister during the recent discussions by the Minister of State the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Renton) on the subject of compliance by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics with its international obligations under the Helsinki agreements.
§ 43. Mr. Sumbergasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assurances he has received from the Soviet Foreign Minister on the subject of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic's compliance with its commitments under the Helsinki agreements, in particular in relation to the freedom of Soviet Jews to leave the country.
§ Mr. RentonDuring my recent visit to the Soviet Union I was told that measures were in hand which would lead to a substantial increase in the number of Soviet citizens allowed to leave their country. We shall watch carefully to see whether such an increase takes place.
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§ 48. Lord James Douglas-Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent developments in human rights in the Soviet Union.
§ Mr. RentonWe welcome the recent releases of dissidents. Any movement in the direction of a more humane and tolerant society is welcome. But many more are still persecuted or imprisoned for their beliefs. We shall continue to press for further improvements.