CONFIDENTIAL
2.
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British or other (local) interests have to be taken into account; but for the reason given in paragraph 3 of Dick Stratton's letter SCR 6/2071/57 II to Richard Evans of 6 July 1973, the grounds for admitting such visitors need to be specific and not general. Within that limitation however we will always consider a case that is put to us and would be prepared to take into account the real danger of subsequent damage to the United Kingdom. The trouble as is stated most clearly in paragraph 8 of the circular is that the Russians cry wolf whenever they can! And it is not very easy to judge the weight of UK grounds in the context of Hong Kong. We went a bit wrong last year when Hong Kong was saddled, somewhat to her embarrassment, with Yevgeny Yevtushenko, the Russian poet, whom the Hong Kong Government would as soon have kept out of the Colony. (See in particular Hong Kong telegram No. 520 of 11 May 1973). On that Occasion (though it was before my time) the Hong Kong Government felt that general UK considerations had prevailed when they should not have done so - particularly as the individual was known to be out of favour with the Chinese.
6.
In reaffirming the policy, as it stands, I must add that we are under constant pressure from our own trading interests to relax our restrictions. We are thus having a new look at the balance between keeping out undesirables and increasing our exports to Eastern Europe. If any changes seem desirable as a result of this, we shall let you know.
ever
Your
Alan.
(A E DONALD)
CC:
Chancery Warsaw
CONFIDENTIAL