§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
How they explain their apparent support for free emigration from the Soviet Union for Jews and others at a time when such people are most unlikely to be allowed to enter either the United Kingdom or t le United States.
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (The Earl of Caithness):The UK and the Soviet Union, as states party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and through their CSCE commitments, recognise the freedom of individuals to leave their own country. We have therefore encouraged the Soviet Union to fulfil such obligations and commitments through reform of its emigration legislation. The new Soviet emigration law, passed in May, is a positive step in this direction.
Soviet citizens are welcome to enter the UK as visitors or students. Those wishing to live permanently in this country must, however, satisfy the requirements of the immigration rules, which apply to all foreign nationals wishing to settle here.