HC Deb 17 July 1967 vol 750 cc1532-3
34. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action he proposes to take with the Chinese Government to secure redress for the deliberate discourtesies and injuries inflicted on Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires in Peking and his staff.

Mr. William Rodgers

I protested very strongly to the Acting Chinese Chargé d'Affaires in London, deploring the failure of the Chinese authorities to restrain the demonstrators or to give proper protection to the Office of our own Chargé d'Affaires, contrary to the accepted principles of relations between sovereign States. I also reserved our right to demand full compensation.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

But has an apology not yet been received from the Chinese Government for this plain breach of the normal standards accepted by civilised countries, and did the Under-Secretary of State make it clear to the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires that instances of this sort, contrasting as they do with the dignity and courage of Her Majesty's representatives, do very serious harm to relations between the two countries?

Mr. Rodgers

I have spoken to the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires very much in those terms.

Mr. Arthur Davidson

Is my hon. Friend aware that there are reports of further incidents this morning in which two members of the British Mission were pelted with tomatoes and suffered further humiliations? Is he satisfied that his protests are really strong enough?

Mr. Rodgers

I am satisfied that the protests are strong enough, but I greatly regret, as has been made clear in the House before by Foreign Office Ministers, that we have not had satisfactory replies. I am sure that everyone in the House will admire the way that our staff in Peking and previously in Shanghai have stood up to humiliating circumstances. I agree with my hon. Friend that these practices are totally out of keeping with the normal traditions of diplomatic relations.

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

Obviously one does not want to employ this kind of sanction, but will the hon. Gentleman keep in mind the possible withdrawal of our representatives from China if these offences go on much longer?

Mr. Rodgers

There are a number of possibilities, of which that is one. In some respects, what we must seek to do is to follow the example of our staffs in protesting strongly but making the most of a difficult situation if we believe that it is in our long-term interests to do so.