§ 26. Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action his Department is taking to establish firm links and lines of communication with the new Russian Parliament; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe look forward to regular contacts with the new Russian Parliament. The Speaker of the House has invited the chairman of the State Duma, Mr. Rybkin, to visit the United Kingdom later this year. We have established the £500,000 British programme for democracy financed by the know-how fund to help foster, among other things, interparliamentary contacts and provide training for new parliamentarians and officials.