§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what discussions her Department had with the Chinese Minister for the State Family Planning Commission during her visit to Britain on 17 and 18 May on(a) the male to female birth ratio and (b) covert abortions and sterilisations in China; [30758]
(2) what assurances were sought from the Chinese Minister for the State Family Planning Commission during her recent visit to Britain that there would be a halt to coercive birth control policies in Tibet and China. [31092]
§ Mr. HanleyIn her meeting with Mrs. Peng Peiyun, Chinese State Councillor with responsibilities that include family planning, Baroness Chalker of Wallasey discussed UK concerns about human rights abuses, such as forced sterilisations and abortions, in the implementation of Chinese family planning policy. In order that such informal contacts continue to be constructive, ODA believes that it is not appropriate to release details of these discussions.