HC Deb 27 May 1965 vol 713 cc814-5
8. Mr. Freeson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will take steps to lift the ban on the entry of publications from the People's Republic of China into British Colonial Territories.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mrs. Eirene White)

There is no such general ban. Particular publications from the People's Republic of China may be banned in individual Colonial Territories, but I could not say which publications in which territories without inquiring of all Colonial Governments.

Mr. Freeson

Will my hon. Friend undertake to make those inquiries, as she must know in her own mind that it is an unsatisfactory situation? Will not she agree that it is a basically unsound principle and anti-democratic to institute and maintain such bans and that the whole influence of the Government should be used to try to remove them?

Mrs. White

If my hon. Friend has any particular instance in mind, perhaps he will be good enough to let us know about it. In general terms, if we are asked for advice in this matter, we draw attention to Article 10 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights which emphasises that freedom to receive and to impart information is desirable but also points out that certain safeguards may be necessary.

Mr. J. Amery

Will the hon. Lady ask her right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to pass on to the Chinese Government the views so clearly expressed by the hon. Member for Willesden, East (Mr. Freeson)?

Mr. Freeson

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Chinese People's Republic is not responsible for the administration of British Colonial Territories and that the answer which she gave to my supplementary question remains unsatisfactory? If there is such a ban applying in certain territories, is it not the responsibility of the Government here to inquire into the facts and to take action to stop such anti-democratic practices?

Mrs. White

It is not necessarily my right hon. Friend's responsibility because a number of territories have control over their internal affairs to a greater or lesser degree. I do not consider that it is our overriding responsibility in all instances to take any action.