SECRET
b)
Given the understandable degree of interest in Parliament
and elsewhere about the other British subjects detained
in China, we would certainly be criticised if it became
known that we had attempted a bargain with the Chinese
either tacit or specific, which related to the release
only of Mr. Grey. (It is not to be forgotten that
Mr. Gordon and Mr. Barrymaine are also professional
journalists.)
10. The courses of conciliatory action in Hong Kong to be
considered are these:-
a)
Remission of the sentence on various categories of
prisoners including the 13 newspaper workers.
Mr. Cradock has argued strongly in favour of this on
general grounds, as diminishing what is bound to remain
a continuing irritant in Sino-British relations. He has
also suggested that such a gesture, since it could be
presented as an act of clemency, might look less like a
direct capitulation to Chinese pressure than the release
of the 13 news workers in exchange for Mr. Grey. The
Hong Kong authorities have argued that it would be very
difficult to determine a basis on which to select prisoners
for such a partial amnesty;
partial amnesty would be much too severe a blow to public
confidence in Hong Kong, not merely for the present but
against any possible future resumption of last year's
troubles. I think we must support them in this.
and that in any case such a
SECRET
- 7
/ b)
The