§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Prime Minister if he will use the opportunity of the British presidency of the EC to co-ordinate a community response to the claims of Tibet to self-determination.
§ The Prime MinisterNo state recognises Tibet as independent. Successive British Governments have, however, consistently regarded Tibet as autonomous, while recognising the special position of the Chinese there. We have urged the Chinese authorities to allow that autonomy. During our presidency we shall continue to take up with the Chinese authorities human rights abuses both in Tibet and in China.