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13 JUNE 1968
China (Detained
representations and his insistence on con- ducting nauseating propaganda related principally to Hong Kong. I have since seen him on 5th April and 24th May and gone right through the list of all British subjects detained, especially making clear the intolerable situation of Mr. Watt. The interviews took place in a more tem- perate atmosphere, but I greatly regret that the Chargé was unable to supply me with the information for which I asked.
What is the position then as it now stands? First, in the case of the Mission we are making some slow progress though not at a rate that can be regarded as satisfactory. Second, in the case of Anthony Grey, we have had one Consular visit.
We hope to obtain others--but progress remains slow. Third, on the three ships' officers and Mr. Norman Barrymaine, we are still awaiting informa- tion. The position is very unsatisfac- tory indeed, and I cannot forecast the Outcome. Fourth, on those British subjects formerly employed by the Chinese autho- rities, we are seeking to discover their whereabouts though there is no evidence that charges are being brought against them. Fifth, in the case of Mr. Watt, we have received no further information and there appears no present prospect of per- sonal contact with him. We shall continue to press very hard indeed for, at the very least, access and, much better, as the hon. Gentleman himself said, clemency and release, and return to this country. But again it would be misleading to assume early success.
I have been asked how we can help, and the question of retaliation has been raised. We have of course considered frequently and with the very greatest care whether there were measures we might take which would bring effective pres- sure to bear on the Chinese authorities. We have discussed fully a number of suggestions which have been made in the House. The question of trade relations, for example, has clearly been in our minds. I hope, however, that hon. Gentle- men will not press me on our precise conclusions. We are prepared, however, to take any measure which we believe will really help those detained in China, while remaining wary of striking attitudes which, frankly would yield no results. We must remember that China today is a unique case where none of the normal rules appear to apply. Comparisons with
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British Subjects)
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other countries-and what it is possible to do for British subjects held elsewhere-- simply do not make sense. Meanwhile I am sure-and I think this answers another point the hon. Gentleman made-that those who trade with China, either carry- ing out industrial contracts or visiting her ports, will have noted the events we are now discussing and taken them fully into account.
I agree entirely with the hon. Gentle- man when he says the Chinese are guilty of actions completely beyond the bounds. of international protocol. That is abso- lutely true.
It is a continuing disgrace that British subjects should be held in this way. We deplore such uncivilised behaviour, espe- cially when we in Britain-and I know this applies to the hon. Gentleman, who has made his views quite plain- are anxious to restore normal relations with China and are prepared at all times to discuss genuine issues of common con- cern. We shall continue to make our views known to the Chinese authorities, directly or indirectly, if this proves pos- sible and likely to produce results, and to speak firmly and clearly on behalf of those whose own voices are silenced. We must hope that in due course the Chinese will come to see the folly of their present shameful attitudes and will take steps to release those that they now so wrongly hold.
Mr. Eldon Griffiths: As there is a moment or two left will the hon. Gentle- mun try to answer a point about some collective demarche to China and what steps might be taken to the Canadian and Australian Missions?
Mr. Rodgers: I thought I had in pass- ing touched on this point. I thought I said that a number of countries are affected by the present attitude of the Chinese authorities. We have reason to believe that people of other nationalities are held, but I think that probably we are placed in a somewhat more difficult posi- tion, particularly, of course, because of Hong Kong and the particular import- ance which the Chinese attach to it. Certainly, if collective action were pos- sible and would produce results we would be prepared to take an initiative, though, of course, it would succeed only if others saw fit to work in the same way and it