Alf Morris M.P. House Of Commons London SW1A QAA
2/6/78.
Dear Alf Morris,
We have been deeply disturbed to read in the issue of "Private Eye" dated 26/5/78 that H.M. Government has been sanctioning a policy of forcible repatriation of Chinese who have sought political asylum in the crown colony of Hong Kong. According to the magazine the information was revealed in a written House of Commons answer by Evan Luard, junior minister at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. It appears that 11,719 people have been handed back to Peking since 1974.
This information comes at a time when the true facts about the repatriation of Russians after the second world war have become public property. Two recent books; The Last Secret, by Lord Bethell, and Victims of Yalta, by Count Nicolai Tolstoy have revealed this as one of the most shameful passages in our recent history, and one that casts a shadow over the reputation of many leading political figures, including three Tory prime ministers. It is hocking to discover that a similar operation is being carried out under a Labour government in our own time.
We believe that this matter cannot be allowed to pass without controversy and comment. We do not know what has happened to those already returned (The Chinese government insists that no one is executed- but Stalin gave similar assurances in '44 and '45) we can however take steps to put an end to this denial of human rights. We are aware that your particular areas of responsibility lie elsewhere, but we would be grateful if you would use your position as an M.P. to raise further questions on this matter. What is at stake, apart from the liberty of many thous nds of human beings, is Britain's reputation as a guardian and champion of human rights. We are proud of this reputation and cannot watch with complacency while it is dragged through the mire.
yours sincerely
Silly Guil
Rev'd & Mrs A. J. Grist
•Becky Grist
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