§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the case of Father Joseph Jin Dechen, vicar-general of the Nanyang diocese and the reasons for his arrest, imprisonment and current confinement; and what representations have been made by his Department on Father Dechen's behalf. [27235]
§ Mr. GoodladFather Joseph Jin Dechen was arrested in 1981 after protesting about forced abortions, and was jailed in 1982. Father Dechen's case was raised by the Prime Minister with the Chinese authorities in 1991, and Father Dechen was released in 1992. We understand that Father Dechen is at present confined to his home village.