573
China (Detained
In a
13 JUNE 1968
British Subjects)
574 of health. They are unable to send him public should be drawn to the case of any food parcels or find out anything George Watt. He is not alone. about him.
Written Answer on 29th May the Under- Secretary of State listed 10 British sub- jects detained by the Chinese. In addi- tion, the list mentions the families of two, Mr. Eric Gordon and Mr. David Crook. The list includes the Master of a British ship, the "Fortune Wind", a Captain Pope, and two journalists, a Mr. Grey and a Mr. Barrymaine.
These circumstances merit the atten- tion of the House. The company has The company has made strenuous efforts to contact Mr. Watt and to secure his release. The managing director of the company, Mr. David Cockburn, visited Peking at the invitation of Tech. Import in March
to discuss the case of Mr. Watt and the contract. In spite of several meetings with the Chinese authorities, Mr. Cockburn was unable to make any pro- gress. He was unable to meet Mr. Watt or find out any of the facts of the case, His own return to Britain was delayed by the Chinese in circumstances that caused him grave apprehension.
What are the Government doing about the case of Mr. Watt? The actions of the Chinese in the affair are completely be- yond the bounds of ordinary international protocol. They seem to neglect the terms of the Vienna Convention, which allows ordinary diplomatic access to per- sons charged with offences in another country. The fact that Mr. Watt's wife and mother, who is still living in my constituency and with whom I have been in touch, are unable to hear anything of him is more than discourteous. It is positively uncivilised. The Government should consider what retaliation is appro- priate to bring the Chinese to their senses and make them realise that they cannot behave in this way towards British citizens.
The company has done all that can reasonably be expected of it to contact Mr. Watt. This places ordinary business relations with the Chinese under con- siderable strain. The erection of the plant in Lanchow was interrupted by positively uncivilised. the cultural revolution last year. I be- lieve that most of the plant has now been finished. Nevertheless, the affair of George Watt remains a case which calls for the most strenous efforts on the part of the Foreign Office to ensure that he is released as soon as possible and return to his family.
The charges which the Chinese have made against Mr. Watt are of the flimsiest possible nature. The Press re- lease from the New China News Agency says, among other things, that he took a large number of prohibited photo- graphs and that he
46
stole by means of spying important intelli- gence".
It refers to
66
China's... political and economic affairs and the great proletarian cultural revolution."
It says:
"In this way, he has committed grave crimes seriously endangering the security and under- mining the Socialist construction of China whatever that may mean.
This is an unusually serious case for Britain. According to the definition of that news release, anyone who brought back any type of information of a cul- tural nature might be accused of espionage.
In these circumstances, the attention not only of the House but of the British
28 K 47
7.
What freedom of movement is now allowed to members of the Chinese Mission in London? Are members of our Mission still being restricted in Peking, or do they have equal freedom of movement in China? What steps are the Government taking to inform any other companies thinking of erecting a plant in China of the risks involved both to them and their personnel?
How do the actions of the Chinese compare with those which are normal under ordinary diplomatic practice and custom? What would the Minister normally expect from any other country, particularly as regards the right of access to a British citizen who has been accused of an offence in that country, the right of the British consul on the spot to see that he is properly represented and to attend the trial, and the right of communication between such a person and his family?
What representations are the Govern- ment making to the Chinese that they should show leniency? Mr. Watt is not a spy, has never been a spy and has not attempted to spy. It is totally wrong that he should be imprisoned for three years by the Chinese in this way. Are the
Page 120Page 121
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.