§ Mr. MadelTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what account Her Majesty's Government takes in its policy towards recognition of the legal status of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as republics of the Soviet Union, of the manner in which they acquired that status; and what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the resumption by these states of their independence by peaceful means.
§ Mr. EggarWe have not recognised de jure the incorporation of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania into the Soviet Union, because of the unacceptable way in which it was carried out. It follows that we would respect the right of these former independent states to determine their own future status in a peaceful manner, as is indeed provided for in the Soviet constitution.