HL Deb 16 October 1995 vol 566 cc86-7WA
Lord Braine of Wheatley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What advice they have given or intend giving to British citizens who plan to attend the UN Conference on Women in Beijing with regard to their personal safety if they are known to have been critical of China's human rights record and one child policy.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

It is up to individuals to decide whether to go to any country. The public can contact the Travel Advice Unit of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for advice relating to their personal safety when visiting China.

Lord Braine of Wheatley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will comment on the US State Department's announcement that they are unable to guarantee the safety of US citizens attending the UN Conference on Women in Beijing; and whether they can guarantee the safety of British citizens attending the conference.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

US State Department policy is the same as that of the United Kingdom. The Government cannot guarantee the safety of British nationals travelling abroad. The public can contact the Travel Advice Unit of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for information. Consular staff stand ready to give all the help they properly can to British nationals in distress.

Lord Braine of Wheatley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessments they have made of the indications by Norway and Sweden to boycott the UN International Women's Conference in Beijing and whether they will seek to obtain from the Governments of Norway and Sweden, and place in the Library of the House, the reasons given for such a boycott.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

We have no reason to believe that Sweden and Norway intend to boycott the Conference.