HL Deb 02 May 1995 vol 563 c107WA
Lord Braine of Wheatley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to their reply of 6 April (HL, WA34), whether they will publish in the Official Report or place in the Library of the House the information that Her Majesty's Government have been able to obtain from international organisations and the British Embassy in China regarding Chinese population policy.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)

We have sought answers to the specific questions raised by my noble Friend (HL,WA34). If the figures requested become available we will place the information in the Libraries of the House.

Lord Braine of Wheatley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to their reply of 6 April (HL, WA34), whether they will publish in the Official Report or place in the Library of the House statements made by the British Government—other than observations on Petitions made by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs—condemning the implementation of the Chinese family planning programmes.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

We continue, through statements in this House and elsewhere, to make clear our strong opposition to the coercion of individuals to practise family planning or any particular type of fertility regulation procedure, wherever this may occur. We will place in the Libraries of the House a copy of the Overseas Development Administration's document Beyond ICPD—The New Agenda, which sets out our views clearly.

Lord Braine of Wheatley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will list the occasions during the last year when they attempted to influence Chinese population policies, and what was the outcome in each case.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

We have continued to support international efforts to help all countries pursue humane family planning and reproductive health policies, including at the International Conference on Population and Development, held in Cairo last September, and through regular dialogue with the United Nations Population Fund. We believe that these efforts have heightened awareness in China and elsewhere of the importance of high quality and non-coercive family planning programmes.