Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 24 February 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 February 2009. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Tuesday, 24 March 2009 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Tibet: Politics and Government

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2009, Official Report, column 2204W, on Tibet: politics and government, what consideration he gave to seeking specific undertakings from the Chinese government in advance of the change of UK policy on Tibet.

Answer: We consider that it would have been inappropriate to negotiate on this matter with the Chinese Government before setting out the position to this House. The change of policy reflects practical reality and is justified in its own right. By setting out our position unambiguously on the status of Tibet it allows us to speak clearly on the subject of human rights there, without allowing others to claim that we are denying China sovereignty over a large part of its territory.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 490 c194W; 259345
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Tibet: Politics and Government
Thursday, 12 February 2009
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Politics and government Tibet
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk