§ 23. Captain W. Elliotasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British subjects are still detained in China; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleThere is still one British subject detained, Mr. Johnson, of the Chartered Bank in Shanghai, and four are believed to be detained, in China. We have made clear to the Chinese Government our grave concern about them on many occasions. The latest was on 4th November.
§ Captain ElliotWill my hon. Friend consider that when discussions take place about the admission of China to the United Nations he should draw the attention of the Chinese to the provisions for human rights in the Charter?
§ Mr. RoyleOur relations with China are showing some improvement. We should like to see a further improvement, but the continued detention of British subjects in China, underlined by my hon. and gallant Friend, is a serious obstacle.
§ Mr. RankinIf we want to improve our relations with China, could we not do something to reduce the number of British and American agents who are being given shelter in Hong Kong, which is British territory, in order to spy against China?
§ Mr. RoyleI think that that is an extraordinary allegation. I am not aware of any British or American agents based in Hong Kong.
§ Mr. RankinThere are 800.