CONFIDENTIAL
-2-
4.
*
AT THIS LATE STAGE I HAVE NO OBJECTION IN PRINCIPLE
TO THE PUBLICATION OF THE NAMES OF THE REMAINING DETAINEES.
OVER THE LAST MONTH OR SO THE PRACTICE HAS GROWN UP, IN
RESPONSE TO PRESS INTEREST, OF ANNOUNCING THE NAMES OF PERSONS
RELEASED FROM DETENTION BUT WE HAVE NOT BEEN UNDER ANY PRESSURE
TO REVEAL THE NAMES OF THOSE STILL IN DETENTION, AND SO
THE 'STAR' NEWSPAPER YESTERDAY
HAVE NOT TAKEN THE INITIATIVE.
PUBLISHED THE NAMES OF THE REMAINING FIVE DETAINEES, PRESUMABLY
BY A PROCESS OF ELIMINATION, WORKING ON LISTS OF DETAINEES
PUBLISHED IN 1967 BY THE COMMUNIST PRESS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS OF RELEASES.
50
PERHAPS THE REPLY MIGHT BE THAT PUBLICATION WOULD HAVE
BEEN AN INFRINGEMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S RIGHTS.
SIR D. TRENCH
FILES
HONG KONG DEPT
FAR EASTERN DEPT
NEWS DEPT
MR. MORETON
SIR A, GALSWORTHY
ADVANCE COPIES SENT
CONFIDENTIAL