CONFIDENTIAL
Peking telegram No. 84 to Foreign Office
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I recommend most strongly that we make a similar distinction and meet this proposal at once. If we do not, our chances of achieving Consular access to Grey in the near future are remote. If we accept we will not only manage very early access but may encourage a trend leading to his eventual release. I would draw attention to the points in Cradock's letter to Elliott of 15 January on Consular visits in Hong Kong and recommend that visit by the NCNA should be as far as possible made equivalent of a "Consular" visit. In particular it should not (repeat not) depend on request from prisoners concerned.
5. As regards visits to the other prisoners (paragraph (b)) I think it is also in our interest to meet the Chinese request if we possibly can. Here it would seem the Chinese are not asking for "formal" visits. Presumably in the normal way under prison rules considerable visiting by relatives and colleagues takes place at the New Year and it might be possible to meet the request without stretching the normal too far. No doubt details of formalities governing the visits could be worked out with NCNA Hong Kong.
6. The appearance of this and visa proposal (my telegrams Nos. 72, 73 and 74) within a week strongly suggests a· Chinese wish to settle some of the more inflamed problems in our relations and strengthens case for early acceptance on our part.
7.
Grateful for urgent instructions.
Sir D. Hopson
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F.O. F.E.D.
Consular Dept
News Dept
P.C.D.
D.D. & P.U.S.D.
J.I.R.D.
DSAO. Personnel Dept
C.O. H.K.D.
News Dept
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