correspond with her family. An Oxford graduate, Mrs Yang went to China
in 1940
Mrs Hilda Brown, a former college lecturer, of Mill Hill. Lon- don, and
her brother. Mr Harold Taylor, a teacher from the Isle of Wight were
accompanied to the legation by their MPs, Mr John Gorst (C, Hendon,
North), and Mr Mark Woodnutí (C. Isle of Wight). After less than eight
minutes in the legation, Mr Görst said: "We received with incredible
fridity and inscrutable rudeness.. The thaw between China and the United
States certainly does not. seem to have hit this country yet."
H
H
Mr Woodnull said he would be tabling a motion to the Foreign Secretary
about the petition.
Reference The" "Times" 2 March 1972.
DO (76539. 140609 500M 7,71 GH 344;1
00000
FROM WILLIAM WHITLOCK, M.P.
IN
TR.
[REGISTRY No. JOUSE OF COMMONS
- 1 MAK 1972
FEC 14/3
LONDON, S.W.1
28th February 1972.
Den & Aler.
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 23
29FX1412
GK | You/G
I shall be grateful if you will give the
enclosed communication from Mr.A.N.S. Thompson,
Nottingham
your attention
and send me a reply which I can forward to
my constituent.
Please acknowledge.
Ilham Buttock
Rt.Hon. Sir Alec Douglas-Home, KT., M.P., Secretary of State for Foreign
and Commonwealth Affairs.
munowledgement 29/2
+
Secretary of State
has not Seci?
Counulan Department for
draft reply from Me Kershaw.
Que
Dd. 568100/10M/5,70/P.P. 28969
29/2.
H.C.91B
[
i gormon Kide
Mapperley
Nottingham. 24 Jeb. 72.
Whitlock M.P.
House of Commons.
Dear Mr. Whitlock,
I have just heard on the ractio
that some moves are afoot in Peking to secure the
releass
of
this. Gladys Yang: may
I ask
you
5
-give any support you can to achieving This end? - I am sure that you
will be doing so already.
I knew her well in Oxford just before the wax- her husband was there as
well: she was a charming & gentle lady, I fully committed to serving the
people of a country which she already knew well, inespective of
politics.
With
personal best wishes
Yours sincerely
lins Thompson. (Mr.).
(i.c. Careers, Econs. Politics as Nottingham
High School).
:
RC Samuel Esq PEKING
RESTRICTED
Despatched
23/2 AR
FEC 14/3
23 February 1972
MRS GLADYS YANG
1. You might like to know that Mr John Gorst MP and Mr Mark Woodnutt MP
intend calling at the Chinese Office on 1 Maroh with Gladys Yang's
brother and sister.
2. They are going to show the Chinese the petition to Chou En-lai with
19,000 signatures and ask whether the Office would like to transmit it
to Peking. When the Office refuse they will tell them that it is being
sent direct by post. They have informed the Chinese in writing of their
intention and been told on the telephone that a meeting cannot be
arranged but that Mrs Yang is in good health. The MPs are alerting the
Press Association and will try to secure as such publicity as possible.
RESTRICTED
JA L Morgan
Far Eastern Department
Fa
L
951
Oral Answers
24 JANUARY 1972
*
Chira
12 Mr. Gurst asked the Secretary of Slate for Foreign and Commonwealth
Affairs if he will give an assurance that there will be no change in the
status of the British Mission in Peking until further information on the
case of Mrs. Yang, who is detained by the Chinese Govern- ment. has been
made available to the British Chargé d'Affaires.
The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr.
Anthony Royle): We shall continue to do all we can to obtain Mrs. Yang's
release. As regards the status of our mission in Peking, our discussions
with the Chinese Government are continuing. We have made it clear that
there are no obstacles on our side to an exchange of ambassadors. It
would not be helpful to our improving relations, or to Mis Yang's case,
to introduce preconditions at this stage. We have left the Chinese
Government in no doubt of the continu- ing public concern about Mrs.
Yang and the three other British subjects who have been detained for so
long in China.
Mr. Gorst: I thank my hen. Friend for the tenacity which he and the
Foreign Office have shown over a period of more than a year on this
subject. Will he now instruct our chargé d'affaires, who I understand
has taken up his post today, to place this important case high on his
list of priorities and to secure more infor mation for my constituent
about her sister?
Mr. Royle: This is certaintly one of the subjects on which we hope to
make progress if an agreement on an exchange of amabassadors is reached.
In the mean- time we are continuing our efforts to obtain Mrs. Yang's
release from deten- tion and certainly our chargé d'affaires on arrival
in Peking will again raise the subject with the Chinese authorities.
Mr. Dalyell: As to the exchange of ambassadors, why do we have to pursue
American policy on Taiwan, a policy which incidentally, among other
thing, is against British national interest?
on
Mr. Royle: I did not know that we were pursuing American policy Taiwan.
Her Majesty's Government do not recognise the Nationalist authorities
10 #
Oral Answers
952
on Taiwan. We maintain a consulate in Tamsui, but that consulate has
dealings only with the local provincial authorities.
Mr. Healey: Is not the only obstacle to the exchange of ambassadors,
which I was glad to hear the hon. Gentleman say was Her Majesty's
Government's objective, the refusal to confirm the deci- sion taken by
Sir Winston Churchill at the conferences at Cairo and Potsda that Taiwan
was part of China? Given that the ruling that the status of Taiwan was
undetermined was made 20 years ago, is it not time for Her Majesty's
Govern ment to recognise the fact and pursue Britain's interests in this
matter?
Mr. Royle: These are among the many natters now under discussion with
the Chinese Government. I think the right hon. Gentleman will understand
that it would not be helpful to go into them in detail while these
discussions with the Chinese Government are in progress.
Nuclear Disarmament Conference
15. Mr. Booth asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth
Affairs what progress has been mude towards the convening of the
five-Power Buclear disarmament conference proposed by the Union of
Soviet Socialist Republics
last June.
54. Mr. Frank Allaun asked the Sec- retary of State for Foreign and
Common- wealin Affairs what progress has been made towards the convening
of the five- Power nuclear disarmament conference proposed by the Union
of Soviet Socialist Republics.
Mr. Anthony Royle: None. Sir, China made it clear in July last year that
she would not attend such a conference. The proposal has now been
overtaken by dis- cussions in the United Nations General Assembly on a
world disarmament con-
ference.
Mr. Booth: As no progress has been made towards the five-Power nucicar
dis-
armament conference, would the Minister agree that it is now urgent that
we pro- ceed to a European security conference on the basis of the
Finnish Government's proposal? Would he assure the House that Britain
will not be seen to be drag- ging her feet or acting as a stumbling
block in the path of a European security
DATE 24.172.
COL....951.
VOL.
.४३१.
24th January 1972
*C. Mr John Gorst (Hendon, North): To ask the Secretary
of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he wil give an
assurance that there will be no change in the status of the British
Mission in Peking until further information on the case of Mrs Yang, who
is detained by the Chinese Government, has been made available to the
British Chargé d'Affaires.
NO. 12
MR ANTHONY ROYLE
We shall continue to do all we can to obtain
·
Mrs Yang's release. As regards the status of our mission
in Peking, our discussions with the Chinese Government
are continuing. We have made it clear that there are
no obstacles on our side to an exchange of Ambassadors.
It would not be helpful to our improving relations or to Mrs Yang's
case, to introduce pre-conditions at this stage.
We have left the Chinese Government in no doubt of the
continuing public concern about Mrs Yang and the three oth
British subjects who have been detained for so long in China.
1
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION
for ORAL atlan January 1972
12
FEA 221
The draft reply should reach the Parliamentary Office through your
Under-Secretary by
"All
Noon Tuesday 18/1
*C. Mr John Gorst (Hendon, North): To ask the secretary
of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affalis, if he will give an
assurance that there will be no change in the status of the British
Mission in Peking until further information on the case of Mrs Yang, who
is detained by the Chinese Government, has been made available to the
British Chargé d'Affaires.
Mr. Anthony Royle
We shall continue to do all we can to obtain
Mrs Yang's release. As regards the status of our
mission in Peking, our discussions with the Chinese
Government are continuing.
We have made it clear
that there are no obstacles on our side to an exchange
of Ambassadors. It would not be helpful to our
improving relations or to Mra Yang's case, to introduce
-
pre-conditions at this stage.
We have left the Chinese
Government in no doubt of the continuing public concern
who have been
about Kre Yang and the 3 other British subjects w
detained for so long in China.
(13523) D643721 3mm 1/70 G.WB Lud. Op.263
RESTRICTED
CYPHER CAT. A
+
7%.
PEKING 310435Z.
RESTRICTED
FEC 14
TO ROUTINE F C O TELEGRAM NO. 51 OF 31 JANUARY INFO HONG KONG
AND WASHINGTON.
1. DURING AN INTRODUCTORY CALL ON THE HEAD OF CONSULAR DEPART-
MENT THIS MORNING I MENTIONED THE CONTINUING CONCERN IN BRITAIN
ABOUT THE FOUR BRITISH SUBJECTS STILL DETAINED IN CHINA.
I TOLD MR CHANG THAT I HAD KNOWN MRS YANG PERSONALLY SINCE 1948, WHICH
GAVE ME AN ADDED INTEREST IN HER CASE. WE HOPED
IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR US TO ESTABLISH CONTACT WITH THEM
AND TO TRANSMIT MESSAGES FOR
THEM TO THEIR RELATIVES IN BRITAIN.
2. MR CHANG INDICATED THAT THE MATTER COULD BE PURSUED ON
SOME OTHER OCCASION BUT MADE NO SUBSTANTIVE COMMENT. HE SAID
NOTHING ABOUT CONFRONTATION PRISONERS IN HONG KONG.
ADDIS
FILES
FED
CONS D
SKO
MR WILFORD
/REPEATED TO HONG KONG & WASHINGTON/
RESTRICTED
رہی
Mr Forrester
Félegy
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION: MRA GLADYS YANG
Your minute of 18 January below; I attach additional
supplementaries as requested by Mr Rayle together with 2
covering trade mittere.
19 January 1972
60 MP Wilford
J A L Mory INEL
Par Eastern Department
zu
2
D
PQ_Mr Royle's written reply to
Mr Adley 9
9 November 1971
13 WITH TAIWAN
12. Her Majesty's Government do not recognise the Nationalist
authorities on Taiwan. He maintain a Consulate in Tamani, bet
the Consul only has dealings with the lemì provincial
anthorities.
HÄSTIONS OP.
REKIONTY OVER TAIWAN
13. These are among matters at present under discussion with the Chinese
Government. Ef pressed? It would not be
helpful to ge inte these matters now while discussions with
the chinese Government are still in progress.
JOT OUR TRADE 3) CHINA FORIC O
AFFECTED AP HÀ DO.
14. I repeat that I de met think that it would be helpful to
go into these matters 20V.
DOES NOT CUR FOLICY TOWARDS
PUT
15. There is no evidence that our experts to Taiven are
affested.
C
PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE
MEMORANDUM
From PRIVATE SECRETARY
M. Morgan.
My Royle wonders whether he ought not to
home supplementary
167
amcevers
dealing with
our commubite
on Taiwan, and the station of Taiwan, in case dimension
on this question ranges further than expected. Cond your department
provide, plane?
ния былая
147-23 192535/341699 200 pads 1/64 Grj.TIT
Mr Elford
offic
Parliamentary Office
CONFIDENTIAL
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION: MRS GLADYS YANG
1. I attach a draft reply together with Notes for Supplementaries to Mr
John Gorst's Parliamentary Question
for oral answer on 24 January.
2.
Ministers have privately encouraged Mr Gorst to ask
questions about Mrs Yang at regular intervals.
This
provides us with useful ammunition to demonstrate to the Chinese that
there is continued Parliamentary and public
interest in her case.
3. It would not be practicable to give an assurance on the lines sought
by Mr Gorst. We have consistently main-
tained that there are no obstacles on our side to an
exchange of Ambassadors. British subjects still detained in China as a
pre-condition at this stage would be likely to bring the negotiations
for an Ambassadorial exchange to a halt. If the negotiations
are successful, we shall be in a stronger position to press for the
release of Mrs Yang and the 3 other British subjects.
Mr Addis will raise the case of the 4 detained British
subjects soon after he arrives in Peking at the end of this
month.
To introduce the release of the
4.
17 January 1972
cc:Consular Dept Sir S Tomlinson
CONFIDENTIAL
JALMngen
JAL Morgan
Far Eastern Department
Ки
17
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기,
:
REFERENCES
A
PQ Mr Royle's oral reply to
Mr John Gorst
PQ Mr Royle's written reply to
Mr John Gorst
12 AH
2 August 1971
13 December 1971
PQ The Prime Minister's oral
reply to Mr Pardoe
14 December 1971
NOTES FOR SUPPLEMENTARIES
PROSPECTS FOR MRS YANG'S RELEASE IF AMBASSADORS ARE EXCHANGED?
1. This is certainly one of the subjects on which we
would hope to make progress if agreement on an exchange of
ambassadors is reached. In the meantime we are continuing our efforts to
obtain her release from detention.
PROSPECTS FOR EXCHANGE OF AMBASSADORS?
2. We are anxious to make progress but agreement has still
to be reached on certain points.
THAT ARE THOSE POINTS?
3.
Details of our discussions with the Chinese Government
are confidential.
FILL THE NEWY BRITISH CHARGÉ D'AFFAIRES, MR ADDIS, FAKE UP KRS YANG'S
CASE?
4. This is one of the matters he will discuss with the
Chinese Government after his arrival in Peking at the end
of this month.
WHEN WAS THE MATTER LAST RAISED?
5. On 17 November by our former Chargé d'Affaires during
his farewell call at the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
He was
told that the Foreign Ministry would let us know as soon
/as there
as there was any further information about Mrs Yang's case.
REASONS FOR MRS YANG'S DELENTION?
6. The Chinese Government have given no reason for
Mrs Yang's detention.
We have continued to press them for
information on this point. They told our Chargé d'Affaires
in April last year that she was in good health but that her
case was still being investigated.
IS MRS YANG A BRINISH SUBIECAS
7. Mrs Yang was born in China of British parents. She
has not, as far as we know, renounced her British nationality
and is therefore a British subject.
IF HER HUSBAND IS CHINESE WILL WHEY BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE CHINA?
8. We do not know whether Mrs Yang wishes to leave China.
There may be difficulties about this since her husband and
children are Chinese. Our representations have been directed
to obtaining consular access and securing her release from
detention.
THAT OTHER BRIFISH SUBJECTS ARE STILL DETAINED IN CHINA?
9. There are three other British subjects believed to be
detained in China Mrs Epstein, Mr Shapiro, and Mr Crook.
They have been detained since 1967 and 1968.
WHAT ABOUT CONSULAR ACCESS?
10. The Chinese Government have told us that it is illegal
under Chinese law for persons under investigation to be
visited or to receive letters or parcels; and they have
consistently declined to give details of the whereabouts of
prisoners..
/11.
WHAT ABOUR WRS YANG'S MOTHER?
11. Our Chargé d'Affaires was told on 17 November that
Mrs Yang had been informed, in response to requests from
us, of her mother's death.
I
NOTES FOR SUPPLEMENTARIES
:
+
RELATIONS WITH TAIMAN
12. Her Majesty's Government do not recognise the Nationalist
authorities on Taiwan. We maintain a Consulate in Tamsui, but
the Consul only has dealings with the local provincial
authorities.
AUESTIONS OF SOVEREIGNTY OVER TAIWAN
13. These are among matters at present under discussion with the Chinese
Government, If pressed. It would not be
helpful to go into these matters now while discussions with
the Chinese Government are still in progress.
WILL NOT OUR TRADE WITH CHINA BE AFFECTED IF WE DO NOT REVIK. OUR FOLICY
ON CHINA AND TAIWAN?
til. I repeat that I do not think that it would be helpful to
go into these matters now,
DOES NOT OUR POLICY TOWARDS PEKING MEAN THAT WE ARE PUTTING OUR EXPORTS
TO TAIWAN AT RISKY
15. There is no evidence that our exports to Taiwan are
affected.
جات
1
L
1
י
I
1031
Oral Auswers
2 AUGUST 1971
Mc. Godber: That questica ilus.cates the danger of jumping io
conclusions. It is quite wrong to assume that this resolu- tion is
mandatory. The hoa, Gentleman will recognise that the arrangement to
which he refers was entered into by a Government of which he was a
member.
Middle East
18. Mr. Mayhew asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth
Affairs what recent discussions have been held between the French and
British Gov- ernments to restart negotiations for a general settlement
of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Mr. Godber: We are in constant touch | with the French Government, as
with other Governmculs concerned, about the developing situation in the
Middle East.
Amb Republic.
Oral Answers
I would not wish to
comment on the wider issues the bon! Gentleman has raised.
Cuina (Mrs. Gladys Yang)
20. Mr. Gorst asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth
Affairs what further action he has taken 10 obtain information from the
Chinese Government about the circumstances and whereabouts of Mrs.
Gladys Yang.
Mr. Anthony Royle: Mrs. Yang's detention has been raised with the
Chinese Government on many ocasions. Our chargé d'affaires in Peking was
informed in April that she was in good health but that he case was still
under investigation. The Chinese Government have been left in no doubt
of our con- cern at her detention. We shall continuo to do all we can to
secure hor release.
Mr. Mayhew: Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the proposals
for Mr. Gorst: I appreciate the efforts an interim solution seem to have
failed which have been made by my hon. Friend and that in the meantime
Israel's actions of behalf of my constituent's sister, Mrs.. in
Jerusalem and Gaza, which are widely Yang. Is not the situation
extremely | deplored, are making a peaceful settle unsatisfactory? My
hon. Friends will ba ment more difficult? Will he therefore aware. I
hope, that I have already get together with the French Government
addressed two Questions on this subject in order to try to make further
progress during the last 12 months and that I on a general settlement
along the lines of have actually visited the chargé d'affaires the
American peace proposals, which are in this country and that all we are
faced almost universally agreed?
with is prolonged investigation
any improvement in relations between Does this not constitute
difficulties imped- answers From The Chinese authorities. this country
and the Chinese Republic?
Mr. Godber: I share the hon. Genticing man's concern to make progress in
this matter and his disappointment that we have not made it yet. But I
cannot share his view that the interim proposals of the United States
Government have failed. Discussions are still continuing, and we must
give time to make clear whether those negotiations succeed or not.
H
Mir, Royle: I agree with my hon. Friend that the situation is very
unsatis- factory. As I have said, I shall continue to make our deep
concern clear to the Chinese Government. The maller was mentioned
informally to the Chinese Mis- Mr. Kaufman: Does not the right hon.sion
in London on 29th July by a repre- Gentleman agree that it would be as
well sentative of the Foreign and Common to persuade the various Arab
Govern wealth Office. ments to stop fighting among themselves in order
to put them in a posture to nego fiate peace with Ismel? Will he tako
steps to interview the various Jordanian terrorists who have crossed
into the rela tive peace of Israel and ask them who they would like to
negotiate on their behalf?
Mr. Godber: The Question on the Order Paper, as I understood it, related
to specific discussions which were going on, largely between Ismael and
the United Israel and the United
RECEIVED I R.GUTAYA
Australia
26. Mr. Moyle asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth
Affairs whether he will make a statement on the future of
Angio-Australian rela-. tions,
Mr. Rippon : 1 have every confidence that Angio-Australian relations
will con- finue to be as close and cordial in the future as they hava
bota' in the past.
+
1.2. lingust
10820
822
نهادات
+
+
P
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HANSARD
13 DECEMBER
Vo $29 No 30 COL. 1)
+
WRITTEN ANSWER
Mrs. Gladys Yang
20. M. Gorst asked the Secretary of Stale for Foreign and Commonwealth
Affairs if he will make a further state- ment with regard to the
situation of Mrs. Gladys Yang, who is under investigation by the Chinese
Government and thoughit to be held in detention.
Mr. Anthony Royle: As I told the House on 2nd August. Mrs. Yang's
detention has been raised with the Chin- .ese Government on many
occasions. Our charge d'affaires in Peking was informed in April that
Mrs. Yang was in good health but that her case was still under
investigation. He was told on 17th Nov- ember that the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs would let us know as soon as there was any further
information on her case. We shall continue to do all we can to secure
her release. Vol. 822, c. 1032.]
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420 822 1971
·
•
255
Oral Answers
14 DECEMBER 1971 believe what the hon. Gentleman has in mind is that the
Economic Development Committee for Mechanical Engineering, which is only
one part of the engineering industry, made a forecast about short- term
trends in mechanical engineering, Mechanical engineering is only part of
The total, but is included in the overall engineering forecasts. It is
those that
maller.
BUROPEAN ECONOMIC
COMMUNITY
Q2. Mr. Kaufman asked the Prime Minister whether he will delay his
signa- ture of the treaty of accession to the European Economic
Community until satisfactory arrangements have been worked out for trade
between the Euro- .pean Economic Community and an inde