HL Deb 28 June 1995 vol 565 cc55-6WA
Lord Braine of Wheatley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assistance, if any, has been given by: (a) the United Nations Fund for Population Activities, (b) the International Planned Parenthood Federation, and (c) any recognised bodies in the United Kingdom for the care of orphans and abandoned children in China.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

Neither the United Nations Population Fund nor the International Planned Parenthood Federation provide assistance for the care of orphans and abandoned children in China. We are not aware of any United Kingdom based organisations providing such assistance. The United Nations system's involvement in the care of children comes under the remit of the United Nations Children Fund.

Lord Braine of Wheatley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will place in the Library of the House such information as they have on (a) the standards of medical care for abandoned children in Chinese state orphanages, (b) what qualified persons care for abandoned babies in Chinese state orphanages, and (c) the number and sex of such children.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

We have no reliable information on the matters raised in this question.

Lord Braine of Wheatley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will ensure that the condition of abandoned children in Chinese state orphanages is raised at the forthcoming UN Conference on Women in Beijing.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

No. The Government are deeply concerned about reports of ill-treatment and neglect of children in Chinese orphanages, but the UN Conference on Women has not been called to address specific issues of this kind in individual countries.