asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the programme and what was the cost to public funds of the recent visit of Union of Soviet Socialist Republics officers to British defence establishments.
A party of nine officers from the Frunze Military Academy, Moscow, visited the United Kingdom from 27th to 31st March in return for a similiar visit paid to Moscow last year by officers of the Army Staff College, Camberley. In addition to visiting the Staff College, the Soviet Army visitors witnessed a Royal Engineer demonstration, paid courtesy calls in the Ministry of Defence, and visited places of interest. The costs of the exchange were met on a reciprocal basis, with each side paying its own air fares and the host nation meeting local expenses such as accommodation and transport. The costs to public funds of the Soviet Army visit to the United Kingdom is estimated to be about £1,800.