QUSE
OF
COMMONS
1. Acknowledge 2. And Stephend
14 3/2
(176)
30th January,1969.
(163)
în s (198)
Dear Bill,
I am writing to you in connection with the reply to the written question which you answered on the 24th January on the imprison- ment of children in Honk Kong as a result of demonstrations in 1967.
I must say that I am absolutely appalled at the fact that children of such tender age should still be imprisoned so long after the events, one with two years more to serve.
I cannot believe that this would be permitted in Britain and would be grateful if you would give me further details of the indi- viduals concerned and details of the charges on which they were con- victed.
I should then like to come along and see you on the issues involved since it is quite clear that this state of affairs will continue to exacerbate Anglo-Chinese relations for a considerable time to come.
When all of us are so deeply concerned about the way in which the Chinese authorities have been behaving in connection with British nationals who are in detention on the Chinese mainland, we surely have a duty to consider the relevance of the situation in Hong Kong. If in fact, as I myself believe, the unfortunate British nationals about whom there is so much righteous indignation expressed in the British Press, are merely being used as pawns in a contest arising out of political demonstrations in Hong Kong, I think that the detention of individuals in Hing Kong must be carefully studied.
Accordingly I should be grateful if you would let me have a letter on this matter and if I could afterwards come along and discuss the situation with you.
+
W.C.Whitlock, Esq.,M.P.,'
L
LAST
୮
169 198
24
Yours sincerely,
(dictated by Mr.Newens,
signed in his absence),
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State,
Foreign and Commonwealth Office,
Downing Street,
London S.H.1.
RECEIVED IN
CHIVES No.31
5 JAN 1969
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To
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Luke Shephal