CONFIDENTIAL
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(d) We explain to the Governor that there would
be great difficulty in resting where we are;
we shall be under considerable public and
parliamentary pressure to demonstrate that we
are doing our best to secure an amelioration
in Mr. Grey's conditions, particularly to secure
further visits. In our view there is very little
chance of achieving this unless there is a further
round of visits in Hong Kong.
Background
7.
Sir D. Hopson considers, and I agree, that after the
visit to Mr. Grey (Peking telegram No. 341) we should not
rest on this achievement (Peking talegram No. 348).
He can
of course tackle the Chinese immediately regarding the con-
ditions under which Mr. Grey is being held and, if he is
authorised, rebut certain Chinese complaints about the alleged
isolation of Commnist prisoners in Hong Kong. It is possible
that he may make some limited progress in this direction.
As
Flag € (59) long Zong have pointed out in their telegram No. 536, all
Communist prisoners in Hong Kong enjoy the monthly privilege
of visits from friends and relatives. The next step therefore
would seem to be for Jir D. Hopson to attempt to secure
similar monthly non-official visits to Mr. Grey, e.g. by
the wives of members of the Mission or by other members of
the foreign community in Peking.
8. Sir D. Hopson expects, however, that the Chinese will
turn down his request. I am afraid this is almost certain.
CONFIDENT IAL
/We