A
CONFIDENTIAL
(b) We must accept that the Chinese may make propaganda
out of these releases. They have made little use of them for this purpose so far, a favourable indication possibly that they seek and favour de-escalation along these lines.
(c)
Some political benefit can perhaps be derived from the timing of releases. There would, however, be risks in departing too obviously from the principle that the use of powers of detention rests on internal security considerations: to do so must cast doubt on the motives which led to the decision to detain these people originally.
10. It would be useful to discuss with the Governor the part which the release of detainees should play in our general policy, and what public reaction there might be to a policy of continuing releases.
Hong Kong Department
21 October, 1968
CONFIDENTIAL