Keetch questions Minister over allegations The Body Worlds Exhibition

10.14.49pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 28th Jun 2006

In a recent House of Commons debate Paul Keetch MP questioned The Rt. Hon. Ian McCartney MP, Minister of State for Trade, over allegations that The Body Worlds Exhibition currently running in London's East End, actually featured the bodies of executed Chinese dissidents.

During questions on China's human rights record, Mr Keetch asked the Minister if he would look into allegations made by a national newspaper that the body parts of executed Chinese dissidents were being used in an exhibition in London, and if this was the case, take steps to stop this happening in future.

Mr Keetch commenting after the debate said "If these reports are accurate, this is a horrendous and disturbing exhibition which should be closed down immediately."

"There is grave concern regarding China's human rights record and the Government should not be seen to condone such a situation. Displaying dissected bodies of Chinese dissidents as entertainment is not only abhorrent and vulgar, but very worrying"

"The Minister assured me that he would look into the matter and I look forward to his response." Mr Keetch added.

ENDS

Notes to the Editor:

Transcript of the debate from 27th June 2006.

Mr Paul Keetch MP: Is the Minister aware that there has been some suggestion that bodies and body parts of executed Chinese prisoners form at least some part of the exhibitions that we see in London? Will he take up the suggestion that has been made in the press with his colleagues at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and assure the house that there is no way that the personal effects or bodies of executed prisoners will be used for exhibitions in London or anywhere else in the United Kingdom?

Mr McCartney MP: I will be honest with the hon. Gentleman: that is the first I have heard of such a suggestion. It fills us all with horror. I will raise the issue and get back to him.

For further details see:

http://pubs1.tso.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm060627/debtext/60627-0655.htm#column_119