CONFIDENTIAL
Argument for Further Review
7. There are in our view powerful arguments for the
further review of sentences based on the principle set
out in Colonial Office circular 557/60 of May 1960 that
there should be regular roview of sentences (correctly)
imposed for exemplary purposes.
passed since the disturbances.
Three years have now
Hong Kong is calm and we
have proved beyond any doubt our determination not to be
cowed by Communist pressure. The Communists have
tacitly recognised this by calling off the campaign of
violence and by instructing their followers to keep within
the law. The Chinese leaders in Peking are pursuing
relatively pragmatic and moderate policies at home and
abroad. None of the confrontation prisoners already
released has, to our knowledge, been re-arrested for
violent breaches of the law. It is very unlikely there-
fore that any of those released in future would r sort
once more to violence: if they did so, it would be
against Poking's present express instructions.
Morcover,
the question of confrontation prisoners is a major
irritant in Sino-Hong Kong relations (as well as Sino-
British relations), which could complicate the solution.
of other problems which are always likely to arise
between Hong Kong and China.
8. The Governor will argue forcefully that we cannot
interfere with the course of justice. If we concede the
principle of premature release, we shall undermine public
/confidence
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CONFIDENTIAL