§ 66. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was the result of the representations made to the Chinese Government about the desecration of British graves in Peking by Red Guards.
§ 71. Sir W. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give details of the damage to British property and outrages on British citizens whether in religious orders or as ordinary civilians or to British dead which have been committed by Chinese on the Chinese mainland since mid-August; what steps has Her Majesty's Government taken about these; whether British Ministers attended the Chinese official national day celebrations in Peking or London; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. George BrownSo far as the maltreatment of British subjects in China is concerned, I have nothing to add to the reply given on 18th October to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison). Some 300 British graves in the Foreigners' Cemetery at Peking were desecrated by Red Guards in early September. The headstones were removed and in some cases destroyed but the graves themselves were not interfered with. We have made vigorous protests to the Chinese, both in London and in Peking and have demanded restitution. Unhappily, the Chinese Government have so far neither expressed regret nor offered to make restitution. The acting Chargé d'Affaires in Peking was instructed not to attend the Chinese National Day celebrations, nor did any British Ministers attend the official Chinese celebration in London. Apart from the graves, I have no knowledge of any recent damage to British property in China.