§ 23. Sir W. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why five Chinese journalists, who had been in Hong Kong since they left China in 1949, were suddenly arrested last summer; whether this was the result of their Press activities; how long they were detained and why; why they were deported to Formosa; and to what extent their activities were connected with the opium haul, made near the Communist border, reported on 7th February.
§ Mrs. WhiteA number of persons, six of whom could be described as journalists, were arrested in July and September, 1964. They were, in fact. Kuo-Min-Tang Intelligence agents. They were detained for nine to twelve weeks and then deported to Taiwan. Their arrest and deportation had no connection with their activities as journalists or with the recent seizure of narcotics in the New Territories.
§ Sir W. TeelingDoes the hon. Lady realise that her Answer will give great satisfaction to people who feel that there might have been something connected with these journalists' Press reports about what was happening in Communist China? Will she also bear in mind that some of us are very worried about the fact that these men had to be kept in detention for so long without any definite accusation being brought against them?
§ Mrs. WhiteWe dislike keeping anybody in detention, but we are deeply concerned about the use of Hong Kong as a base for such activities.
§ Mr. A. RoyleWill the hon. Lady say what steps the Government have taken to protest to the Government of Taiwan at the use they are making of the British Colony of Hong Kong for their intelligence activities?
§ Mrs. WhiteThe hon. Member will know that we do not recognise the authorities in Formosa. Therefore, we cannot make or receive any representations.