Dalai Lama (Hansard, 24 July 1991)

§ 9. Mr. Eastham
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now meet the Dalai Lama.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.

§ Mr. Eastham
May I express my appreciation to the two diplomats who visited the Drapchi prison in Tibet to see 89 1152 political prisoners? As the Chairman of the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs has recommended that we recognise the Dalai Lama as a marker for peace, democracy and human rights, conditions which could hardly be said to exist in China at present, why do not the Government change their policy?

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
We, too, are grateful to the two British diplomats who visited Tibet in July. They visited the prison in question, but were unable to meet any prisoners. More generally, they commented that there was severe resentment among Tibetans about the presence of Chinese, but there were no obvious signs of tension on the streets of Lhasa. Of course, we raise the subject of human rights with the Chinese at every possible opportunity. For example, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State emphasised our concern to the Chinese Foreign Minister and the general secretary on a visit to China in April. However, the Dalai Lama has no plans to visit Britain at present so the hon. Gentleman's question is hypothetical.

§ Mr. Adley
While the cultural revolution throughout China in the 1970s was quite ghastly, does my hon. Friend recognise that the few of us who have recently been to Tibet—I can see only one of them in the Chamber now —saw no sign of tension in the streets of Lhasa? Furthermore, contradictory to the propaganda put out by the Dalai Lama, there was visible and open observation of the Buddhist religion on every street corner. Therefore, will my hon. Friend continue to rely on the advice from our embassy in Peking about the best way to deal with these sensitive matters?

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
Naturally, we listen to the advice of our embassy in Peking. We are concerned deeply about human rights violations and we take the opportunity to make our concern clear to the Chinese on all suitable occasions and at the United Nations.

§ Dr. Godman
Is it the Government's considered view that the Dalai Lama will never be allowed to return to his country? Is it not time that the United Nations, the European Community and the leaders of the advanced industrial nations stood up to the nasty, vicious old men in China who have inflicted such brutal outrages against the people whom that man so nobly leads?

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
Of course, the question of the Dalai Lama's return to Tibet must be a matter for discussion between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese. The Chinese have offered to talk to the Dalai Lama, but, at present, they have set conditions with which the Dalai Lama is not happy. That impasse has to be resolved. We continue to encourage the Chinese to talk and we believe that dialogue offers the best solution.

§ Mr. Foulkes
Is it not sad that although you, Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition, the Prince of Wales, the Pope and now—

§ Mr. Hurd
And the Lord Chancellor.

§ Mr. Foulkes
All right, and the Lord Chancellor, and now President Bush have met the Dalai Lama that the Prime Minister had neither the sense nor the courtesy to do so? Will the Minister ensure that when the Prime Minister goes to Beijing as the first European head of state to do so 1153 since Tiananmen square he protests not only about violations of human rights in China, but about the clear violations of human rights in Tibet?

§ Mr. Adley
indicated dissent.

§ Mr. Foulkes
The hon. Gentleman denies it, but The Guardian on Monday quotes the American ambassador in Beijing as saying during his visit to Lhasa that the Government's presentation of prison conditions in Tibet was as phoney as a $3 bill. We must protest about that.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has been in touch with the Dalai Lama who wrote a letter of congratulation to him on his election as leader of the Conservative party. The programme of my right hon. Friend's visit to China has not yet been finalised, but I have no doubt that human rights will form a part of his discussions with the Chinese leaders.

§ Sir David Steel
Is the Minister aware that when the Dalai Lama was here he reiterated to those of us who met him that his wish was merely to return to Tibet as the spiritual leader of his people without any claim for international autonomy for Tibet? In those circumstances, why do Ministers continue to refuse to meet him?

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
The Dalai Lama is not planning to visit the United Kingdom at present. The hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes) said that President Bush had met the Dalai Lama. When President Bush did so, he emphasised the fact that the Americans regard Tibet as part of China. Those who press for such a meeting should consider whether it should be on the same terms.