ABSTRACT
Towards the end of 1983 the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)-Great Britain Society had suggested it was time for a Soviet Week in Britain in return, as they put it, for the British Week that they had hosted in Novosibirsk in 1978. Visiting the USSR—Great Britain Society in March 1984 the author agreed to discussions about a Soviet Week and a British Week being referred to in our joint memorandum. Parastaev would have preferred mention only of a Soviet Week. Unknown to them, and helped by an introduction from John Smith, he was already in touch with the Leader of Birmingham City Council. Birmingham was known as a city determined to raise its general profile, the more so having just failed in its bid to host the Olympic Games. At the author's retirement Willie Whitelaw hosted a lunch at the Carlton Club.
