A service from mySociety A service from mySociety

TheyWorkForYou

Menu

Arrests, Peking

Oral Answers to Questions — China – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 17 March 1947.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Mr John Paton Mr John Paton , Norwich 12:00, 17 March 1947

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British nationals were detained or arrested during the recent wholesale arrests by the secret police in Peking of people of Liberal and Left-wing political tendencies.

Mr. McNeil:

None, Sir.

Photo of Mr John Paton Mr John Paton , Norwich

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the very considerable apprehension that was caused among foreigners and Chinese nationals because of these arrests, and will he consider making the friendliest representations to the Chinese Government about them?

Mr. McNeil:

I will consider the point. We are, of course, aware of the distress which these arrests have occasioned.

Secretary of State

Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.