HC Deb 12 March 1970 vol 797 cc1568-9

Mr. John Tilney (by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the retention by the Chinese of the master of S.S. "Anchises", and of the master and crew of the S.S. "Glenfalloch", which has been detained for the last 48 hours by the Chinese authorities.

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Michael Stewart)

S.S. "Anchises" berthed in Shanghai on 27th February. After two days of questioning by security authorities, the master, Captain Ray, was taken ashore on 1st March. The ship's officers were also questioned, and were told that Captain Ray had been detained for alleged offences against regulations.

Two of the ship's charts were confiscated and the ship sailed on 6th March without the master. The ship's officers were not allowed to see Captain Ray after his detention, nor to cable the ship's owners.

In the case of S.S. "Glenfalloch", which berthed in Shanghai on 2nd March, the only information available is that some crew members are accused of having violated unspecified Chinese regulations. The ship was due to leave Shanghai on 9th March.

The owners of the two ships have been trying urgently to obtain fuller information through their commercial channels, and through the Chinese mission in London, and are continuing to do so. On 11th March, our chargé d'affaires in Peking, on instructions, expressed to the Chinese authorities our grave concern and the hope that this matter would be resolved urgently.

Mr. Tilney

Will the Foreign Secretary endeavour to find out what these British citizens are supposed to have done wrong and to get their release as soon as possible; and, also, will he try to get the Chinese to return to good and correct trading relations?

Mr. Stewart

Certainly, Sir.

Mr. Ogden

Will my right hon. Friend accept my word as an ex-officer of the Ocean Steam Navigation Company that that company is most concerned that its officers shall obey the laws of countries to which its ships go? Will he also inform the Chinese Mission that there may still be a few friends of China in this House, of whom I would hope I am one, but that this conduct by their nationals and Government makes it very difficult indeed to retain any measure of friendship at all for the Chinese Government?

Mr. Stewart

I understand that the facts stated in the first part of my hon. Friend's question are certainly true, and I agree with the rest of his question.