HC Deb 22 October 1952 vol 505 c1008
55. Mr. Mott-Radclyffe

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British subjects are held incommunicado by the Chinese Communist authorities; and whether any have yet been brought to trial for the alleged offences which led to their arrest.

Mr. Nutting

Eight British subjects are under arrest in China: six of them are held incommunicado and despite repeated efforts by Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires it has proved impossible to find out whether or not they have been tried.

Mr. Mott-Radclyffe

Could my hon. Friend say on what charges they were arrested and on what grounds they are eventually to be brought to trial?

Mr. Nutting

Of the six who were held incommunicado, No Sir, because Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires has not been able to get any information or reply out of the Chinese authorities on this matter.

Mr. Nicholson

Do Her Majesty's Government contemplate any further or more severe steps?

Mr. Nutting

Of course we shall continue to try to obtain contact with these unfortunate people and also to do everything we can to help them and get proceedings against them expedited if we cannot get them released.