HC Deb 07 July 1989 vol 156 c304W
Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to seek arrangements with the Soviet Union for the reciprocal friendly visit of United Kingdom and Soviet nuclear-capable ships to each other's ports, following a similar arrangement between the United States navy and the Soviet navy.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The Government welcome exchange visits by Royal Navy and Soviet warships as part of an increasing programme of United Kingdom-Soviet contacts. The choice of vessel must, however, depend upon a number of factors, in particular ship availability at the time of any projected visit.