§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken to secure the release of Helena Sierakowski and the other crew members of the NV Solo Greenpeace ship arrested by Russian authorities in the Kara sea; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd[holding answer 22 October 1992]: The Greenpeace ship Solo was intercepted by the Russian authorities in the sea of Kara on 12 October. The ship's dinghy had allegedly entered Russian jurisdiction. The Solo was escorted into a naval bay north of Murmansk, arriving on 18 October. In accordance with Russian law, the ship was held for three days while the Russians decided whether to press charges. On 21 October, the ship was released with all crew members on board. No charges were laid.
The Netherlands consular representative was the only consular official permitted to board the vessel, which was registered in the Netherlands and captained by a Netherlands national. He did so on 18 October, and reported to the British consulate general in St. Petersburg that all crew members were safe and well.