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CONFIDENTIAL
Note of a Meeting between Lord Shepherd and
Mrs. Grey and Mr. Maw on
Tuesday, 14 January, at 4.00 pm
After welcoming his visitors Lord Shepherd said
that when Mrs. Grey called on Mr. Rogers in the Foreign
Office in 1967 he (Lord Shepherd) was at the time dealing,
among other things, with the affairs of Hong Kong. In
that capacity he was as familiar with the circumstances
of Mr. Grey's detention as his Ministerial colleague
in the Foreign Office. He mentioned this to indicate
that he was fully conversant with the facts.
2. Lord Shepherd assured Mrs. Grey and Mr. Maw that HMG
have been exploring all ways and means to bring about the
release of Mr. Grey from China. He stressed the difficulties
and explained that many factors had to be taken into
consideration. For example, if we were to accede to
Chinese demands over Mr. Grey it could give rise to wider
repercussions affecting other Britons, not only in China
but elsewhere. He thought he should also point out that
HMG were as concerned about the other Britons arrested in
China as they were with Mr. Grey.
He was
3. Lord Shepherd said that he proposed to speak frankly. But what he had to say was strictly confidential.
sure that Mrs. Grey and Mr. Maw would understand the need
to keep what he said completely under their hats, otherwise it could seriously endanger the prospects of Mr. Grey's
release.
CONFIDENTIAL
14.