Pu
A
Mr. Morg
Moreton
Parliamentary Office
Although the attached Parliamentary Question by Mr. Rankin
is for oral reply on the 16 December, it was put down so late
that it will not be reached, and the Parliamentary Office do not
require Notes for Supplementaries.
There have been repeated and inaccurate references in the
Press to the "thirteen journalists" serving prison sentences in
Hong Kong and there has been speculation that the release of
Mr. Grey, the Reuters' correspondent detained in Peking, is
dependent on their release. In fact, although there are thirteen
"newspaper workers" serving prison sentences, only seven of these
are journalists. The remainder comprise three newspaper
proprietors one newspaper publisher, and the manager of a printing
company, who are serving sentences for offences of publishing
seditious material, of inciting to disaffection, and of publishing
false news. The last of the thirteen prisoners is a labourer
who was employed by a newspaper at the time of his arrest.
We should, I think, be justified in confining the reply
to the seven journalists, but in view of the publicity mentioned
above, such a course may well lead to further Questions on the
subject. It would therefore be advisable to include in the
reply particulars of the other six "newspaper workers".
A draft answer is attached.
Johnout
13/12
6.5. Carter
Hong Kong Department
13.12.68