HC Deb 27 June 1967 vol 749 c70W
Mr. Ian Lloyd

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) what representations he has made to the Republic of China on the observation by that country of the normal standards of international law and behaviour as applied to British vessels visiting Chinese ports;

(2) whether he has sought assurances from the Chinese Government that the crews of British merchant vessels visiting Chinese ports will not in future be subject to forcible removal from their vessels, arbitrary detention and arrest without trial.

Mr. Mulley

Two incidents have occurred recently where seamen and officers from British ships have been detained by the authorities of the Government of the People's Republic of China, for alleged contraventions of Chinese law. On each occasion Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires in Peking made representations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs asking for details of the circumstances and for consular access to the men being held. The Chinese, contrary to international practice, refused to meet these requests. All those detained have now been released and have left China.