HC Deb 17 November 1969 vol 791 cc829-30
11. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what explanations or apologies he has received from the Chinese Government in respect of the maltreatment of British subjects detained in China.

Mr. Luard

Repeated representations have been made about the detention and, where appropriate, about the treatment of British subjects in China. Such explanations as have been given by the Chinese authorities have been unsatisfactory. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State summoned the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires on 11th November and expressed our grave concern on these matters.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Is not the behaviour of the Chinese Government towards foreigners quite inconsistent with the normal standards of intercourse between civilised Powers? Is not the time approaching when if China persists in this attitude we should review our attitude towards her?

Mr. Luard

I agree that the attitude by China towards some of the persons detained in China is deplorable, and we have made persistent representations, for example, about Mr. Grey. Our main concern is with some of these people who are detained, and we are doing all possible to ensure their release as soon as possible.

Mr. Rankin

Does my hon. Friend agree that the attitude of China towards certain of our people from Britain is in retaliation to the treatment meted out by us, or through us, to prisoners in Hong Kong?

Mr. Luard

It has been suggested that the detention of Mr. Grey was in retaliation for the detention of certain people in Hong Kong, but there was a complete difference between the two cases. Those detained in Hong Kong had been tried in courts of law and detained according to the processes of law, but that was not true in the case of Mr. Grey.

Mr. McMaster

How many of our citizens are being held in China with or without trial? Has diplomatic access been granted to any of them?

Mr. Luard

There are nine British subjects at present under detention in China. Six were released not long ago. There is access to most but not quite all of those British subjects. I should need notice to be able to give the exact number.