§ 17. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what restrictions the Burma Government have placed on the movements of the staff of Her Majesty's Embassy in Rangoon, and British consular officers in Burma; and what similar restrictions are applied to members of the Burmese Embassy in London.
§ 25. Mr. Onslowasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions in the past year members of the staff of Her Majesty's Embassy, Rangoon, have been able to make visits to other parts of Burma.
§ Mr. WhitlockHer Majesty's Embassy and other foreign missions in Burma, are asked to give prior notice in writing of proposed journeys to points outside the Rangoon area. During the past year 35 such journeys have been made by members of the staff of Her Majesty's Embassy, Rangoon. No restrictions are placed on journeys by members of the Burmese Embassy in London.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonAre the permits freely given, and why is it that no British journalist can obtain admission to Burma, which is an important country with which we have historical links?
§ Mr. WhitlockThere were no occasions in 1968 or 1969 when permission was refused for intended journeys notified by Her Majesty's Embassy in Rangoon. The general procedure for notifying journeys in advance of dates goes 16 back to the time of the civil war, and the present procedure dates from 1959.
§ Mr. OnslowHow many of these visits were to the Shan State and the Kachin State, and how does that compare with the position ten years ago?
§ Mr. WhitlockI am afraid that I should need notice of the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question.