§ LORD RATHCAVANMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
[The Question was as follows:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they can give the names of any British subjects at present either imprisoned or otherwise detained in China, together with the period of imprisonment or detention in each case.]
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, last year seven British subjects were released from detention, but there are four British subjects still believed to be detained in China. In spite of repeated inquiries we have been given no information about them. All four previously worked for the Chinese Government and have lived in China for many years. They are: Mrs. Gladys Yang, who is the British wife of a Chinese citizen who worked as a literary translator and is thought to have been detained in July, 1968. There are three others, Mrs. Epstein, Mr. Michael Shapiro and Mr. David Crook, who are thought to have been detained towards the end of 1967. We are continuing to make representations on their behalf to the Chinese Government.
§ LORD RATHCAVANMy Lords, in thanking the noble Marquess for his reply, may I ask him two supplementary questions? First, were those now in prison charged with any offence, or were they merely arbitrarily arrested? Secondly, is our Chargé d'affaires in Peking allowed to keep in touch with the persons detained?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, so far as I am aware—and I cannot, I am afraid, give my noble friend a categorical answer on this—there has not been any charge brought against these four persons. The answer to his second question is that no consular access has been granted.
§ LORD RAGLANMy Lords, the noble Marquess used the words, "are believed to have been detained". Is it really the case that we do not know whether these people have been detained or not?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, perhaps I can put the noble Lord right. So far as we know, they are detained. There is a slight difficulty of interpretation.
§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords, may I ask the noble Marquess whether any attempt has been made through the representation of other States to secure information and possibly the release of these four people?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I am afraid that I cannot give the noble Lord an answer on that point, but I will let him know in due course.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, in view of the improved relations between this country and China, will the noble Marquess assure the House that the Chinese authorities will be continually informed of our concern in the hope that they will permit our authorities to see the detained people, and, if possible, obtain their release?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I will certainly undertake, as the noble Lord says, to keep the Chinese Government informed as to our concern about this matter. The last time any representation was made was just before Christmas.