CONFIDENTIAL
(c) Return of Sir Donald Hopson for consultations
Sir D. Hopson has proposed that he should now try to get to Hong Kong and London for consultations. He suggested that
he should tell the Chinese that this would be on the under-
standing that he would return to Peking afterwards and was
therefore applying for exit and re-entry visas and would
expect to be away about two weeks. The Governor of Hong Kong is returning to London, to be available for consultations
between 29 April and 13 May. The Governor sees advantage in Sir D. Hopson getting the feel of the situation in Hong Kong, but recognises the risks and thinks that a decision should in any case bo delayed until after we know more about the recent
Chinese informal approach.
Preliminary Recommendation
I agree with the Governor that we should postpone a
decision. There is something to be said for trying to have
Sir D. Hopeon back for discussions when the Governor is in
London. But I think he should avoid Hong Kong; and I am sure
that he should simply tell the Chinese that he has been recalled for consultations and not put himself in the humiliating
position of being let out "on parole".
Copies to:
Mr. Sanuel
Sir D. Allen
Sir C. Crowe
Mr. Wilkinson
Mr. Haydon
→Kr. Carter, C.O.
!
CONFIDENTIAL
(James Murray)
25 March, 1968