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foundation whatever for this allegation and the C.P.G. might now find it difficult to refuse to accept them back into China.
4.
Although Sir Donald Hopson was recently advocating the idea of a substantial act of clemency in respect of political prisoners in Hong Kong (Peking telegram No. 22), his latest telegrams (Peking telegrams 63 and 65) show that (67) he has clearly come round to the Governor's way of thinking.
He accordingly supports the idea of exploring the Chinese attitude towards deportation by carrying out a trial run with the two film actors, as suggested by the Governor.
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5.
The Governor has put forward this suggestion in his telegram No. 92 of 19th January. We have not so far commented on it since we have been waiting for Sir Donald Hopson's views. These we have now received. The Governor will undoubtedly be waiting for us to let him know our attitude to the idea. I consider that it is worth adopting provided that its operational details do not involve too much difficulty. If the Chinese refuse to accept the two film actors, then we lose nothing. If on the other hand they accept them, this might be the first step in establishing a dialogue which could possibly lead to the exchange of Mr. Grey for N.C.A. prisoners in Hong Kong. I therefore suggest that we should telegraph the Governor in terms of the attached draft, with which the Foreign Office agree.
No. Hall
stars
HING.
(A.W. GAMINARA)
23rd January 1968
Although the proposed deportation of the two film may open the way to further exchanges wirowing The release of Mr. Grey, I think we must regard it as primarily in Hong Kong's welcrest to get rid of people like these who are being held in detention under the Deportation
Akane Ordinance. This point has been emphained big the Governor in para 6 of his tel. No.92 We may want to continue with them deportation's (if the trial run with the film stars is successful) whether or not The Chinese are prepared to exchange Pr. Grey.
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