§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have protested, or will protest, against the occupation by Soviet troops of the Agro-Industrial Bank in Vilnius in Lithuania; what has been the reaction of other Western states, and whether such actions seriously endanger the current Soviet and Lithuanian negotiations.
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (The Earl of Caithness)The exact circumstances surrounding the occupation by Soviet troops of certain buildings in Lithuania are not clear. We have continued to make clear to the Soviet authorities that we strongly oppose coercion of the Baltic Republics; and are encouraged that talks between the Lithuanian and Soviet authorities began in early April. We remain ready to take appropriate action should there be clear evidence of further human centers violations in the Baltic Republics.
Our Western partners in general share our concern; the member states of the European Community have issued several firm statements about the situation in the Baltic region.