CONFIDENTIAL
142
9
C.H. Prior Esq., Criminal Department, Home Office,
Whitehall,
London, S.W.1.
29 September 196
I would like to have your first thoughts on a
matter in which we, in the United Kingdom, might
be able to help Hong Kong in meeting a problem
that has arisen in their confrontation with the local
Communists.
2.
You will know from
reports of events
in Hong Kong that the "Cultural Revolution" in
The Colony
China has encouraged the Communists in Hong Kong
very litle tangible
maadka direct support from the Chinese
(with
Peoples Government in Peking) to challenge the
authority of the Hong Kong Government. They have
openly stated that their aim is the overthrow of
rulz
felony. The Hong Kong
British eentzel-
there
Government has hit back firmly and a considerable
number of the hard-core Communists have been
convicted and sentenced to terms of imprisonment
for a variety of offences. A few of these are
serving long-term sentences.
of Hong Kong
3. The Governor is concerned that long prison
may
sentences might no longer be having a deterrent
effect because the prisoners have been told or led to
can
believe that they could expect to be released in the
not distant future with the overthrow of British rule.
He has tentatively suggested that the way to deal
with this might be to send longer-term prisoners
to the United Kingdom to serve out their sentences.
CONFIDENTIAL
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