§ Mr. MerchantTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about ill-treatment of women in Drapchi prison, Tibet in March; and what representations he has made.
§ Mr. GoodladWe have no independent corroboration of these disturbing reports, though British diplomats attempted to visit Drapchi prison in May. We take every opportunity to express to the Chinese our deep concern about human rights abuses in Tibet and indeed throughout China, most recently to the Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister in London last week.