HC Deb 02 March 1988 vol 128 c594W
60. Mr. Gale

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what success the Government have had in persuading the Soviet Union to alter its policy on human rights and emigration.

Mr. Mellor

We have established human rights as an important element in our bilateral dialogue with the Soviet authority and their agreement to regular official consultations on the subject will take this process further. We have been encouraged by increases in emigration figures and the release of some political prisoners during the past year but will continue to press for further progress, including the repeal of repressive legislation.