§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received concerning the policy of the Government of the People's Republic of China to transfer Chinese citizens to Tibet; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggA number of individuals and organisations have drawn reports of such transfers to our attention. There is however little or no reliable independent confirmation that such a policy exists. According to the most recent Chinese census figures, over 95 per cent. of the population of the Tibet autonomous region is Tibetan while 3.7 per cent. is Han Chinese.
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to propose a United Nations or non-governmental organisation sponsored fact-finding delegation to Tibet in the near future to examine allegations concerning the violation of human rights and the destruction of the environment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has no plans to do so. A number of delegations concerned particularly with human rights have recently visited Tibet, including a delegation from the European Parliament. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister specifically raised Tibet when discussing human rights with Chinese Premier Li Peng in Peking in September.