asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what review has been carried out by his Department of the rules and regulations for joint industrial ventures between the United Kingdom and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics promulgated by the Soviet Government; and if he will make a statement.

My Department is constantly monitoring such information as it becomes available on Soviet joint venture legislation and providing advice to companies considering joint venture proposals. My Department was represented at the Anglo-Soviet economic conference organised by the CBI at the end of February at which Soviet experts and British companies discussed the opportunities for joint ventures in the Soviet Union. However, it is for companies themselves to decide whether to enter into joint ventures and to negotiate acceptable terms with benefits for both partners.