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official level with the Commonwealth Office who share the
Governor's and our own misgivings. Before putting the
metter to Ministers, I think we should consult Sir D. Hopson
further. I have suggested that our views should be sent by
telegram because the bag service is slow and I think it
important that we should clear our minds about the case as
soon as possible. The Managing Director of Reuters is due
te discuss the case with Mr. Rodgers next week.
8. If Sir D. Hopson can be persuaded that retaliation
against N.C.N.A. in London is a possibility, we shall require
a Ministerial approach to the Home Office to try to get them
to change the position taken up last year when the then Home
Secretary would not agree that there were grounds for
expelling N.C.N.A. personnel.
9. Subject to your views, I think it would be helpful if
the telegrams tc Peking could go from the Permanent Under-
Secretary in order to indicate to Sir D. Hopson that his
views have been very carefully weighed at the highest official
level.
Copy to Mr. Carter, C.0.
(J. B. Denson) 19 January, 1968
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