§ Mr. Patrick ThompsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the forthcoming human rights mission to China by Lord Howe of Aberavon.
§ Mr. GoodladMy right hon. Friend the Prime Minister proposed to Premier Li Peng in January that a delegation should visit China to exchange views on human rights issues and to study China's provisions and practices in this area. The Chinese People's Institute for Foreign Affairs has invited my right hon. and noble Friend Lord Howe to lead a delegation to China between 1 and 8 December. Lord Howe has invited three hon. Members and a number of experts in the relevant field to accompany him. Details of the programme are under discussion.