PRIME MINISTER'S MEETING WITH THE DALAI LAMA

Early day motion 1569, tabled 14 May 2008 by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 39 members.

That this House is disappointed and concerned that the Prime Minister has decided that his forthcoming meeting with the Dalai Lama should take place in Lambeth Palace and that he is apparently only prepared to meet the Dalai Lama in his capacity as a spiritual leader, despite the fact that successive British governments have never recognised Chinese sovereignty over Tibet; further notes that the Dalai Lama on previous visits was received at 10 Downing Street by both John Major and Tony Blair; regrets that, especially at this time of crisis for the Tibetan people, the Prime Minister has not given sufficient weight to the appalling brutality of the Chinese in occupied Tibet, in contrast to the Dalai Lama, who has always advocated a non-violent approach; and calls on the Prime Minister to switch the venue of the meeting to Downing Street.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 20, Conservative 8, Labour 6, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1, UKIP 1.