§ Lord Gainfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether Lord Howe of Aberavon's report on his visit to China is complete, and whether copies will be placed in the Library of the House and made widely available to members of the public.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)The report on my noble and learned friend's visit to China will be published today. Copies have been deposited in the Libraries of both Houses and are available to members of the public through HMSO.
On behalf of my right honourable friend the Prime Minister, I should like to thank Lord Howe of Aberavon 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 concern to Members of this 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 HMG.