HC Deb 29 June 1993 vol 227 cc455-6W
Mr. Parry

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his latest assessment of the extent of religious persecution in the people's republic of China; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Goodlad

We continue to receive reports, often via non-governmental organisations, of human rights abuses in China including the persecution of religious believers. This matter is covered in chapter 4 of the report of the delegation of my right hon. noble and learned Friend Lord Howe, which is being published today. We regularly raise human rights with the Chinese authorities and urge them to adhere to international standards of behaviour.

Mr. Parry:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the latest situation regarding human rights in China.

Mr. Goodlad

We remain deeply concerned by continuing reports of human rights abuses in China. Ministers have made our concerns clear to the Chinese at a high level both in public and in private on many occasions. The report of the delegation led by my right hon. noble and learned Friend, Lord Howe, which visited China last December, is being published today, and copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Whittingdale

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the report on Lord Howe's visit to China is complete; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Goodlad

The report on my right hon. noble and learned Friend Lord Howe's visit to China was published on 29 June. Copies have been deposited in the Library of both Houses and are available through Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

1 should, on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, like to thank my right hon. noble and learned Friend and his colleagues, for all their efforts in undertaking this important visit and in producing such a comprehensive and constructive document.

Human rights abuses in China, including Tibet, are of continuing conern to Members of the House and to the public. We hope that the Chinese authorities will study the report carefully and give it positive consideration. We, for our part, will consider urgently how to follow up those recommendations which involve action by Her Majesty's Government.