HC Deb 06 November 1997 vol 300 c261W
Mr. David Atkinson

To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he had at his recent meetings with President Yeltsin concerning(a) the new Russian law on religion and (b) other issues; and what was the outcome of these discussions. [14192]

The Prime Minister

I did not discuss the law on freedom of conscience and religious association with President Yeltsin, but the British ambassador in Moscow has been assured by the Russian authorities that implementation of the law will not contravene Russia's international human rights obligations. My discussions in Moscow centred on political and economic reform, international trade issues, bilateral and foreign policy interests and the growing prospects for British business in Russia.