Cypher/Cat A
IMMEDIATE
Telno 372
CONFIDENTIAL
PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
25 December 1967
219
CONFIDENTIAL
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 372 of 25 December. Repeated for information to Hong Kong.
218
Hong Kong telegram No. 1908 to Commonwealth Office and your telegram No. 2619 to Hong Kong: Prison Visits.
216
I agree with the comments in your telegram under reference. I think a distinction must be drawn between the proposed visits to the NCNA staff and those to other prisoners and I very much hope that the Governor will find it possible to allow visit plus food and clothing for NCNA prisoners. Otherwise I see no chance of our getting a visit or probably even another parcel to Grey. I realize this means discriminatory treatment; but the Chinese have made it plain that Hseh Ping at least is Grey's opposite number, so that progress with Grey's case means recognizing that Hseh Ping, and possibly other NCNA prisoners, are in a special category.
2. Again I hope we do not press the requirement that extra visits should be at prisoner's own request. We have no communication with Grey and if such a rule were applied here he would be unable to make his wishes known.
3. If, as I hope, a visit with comforts to the NCNA prisoners is allowed, I would, as suggested by the Governor, report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs again requesting access to Grey.
Foreign Office pass Immediate Hong Kong 193.
Mr. Hopson
[Repeated as requested]
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