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SIR PERCY CRADOCK/PEKING
ON THE RECORD
Sir Percy Cradock is now a private individual. He
is travelling to China in that capacity.
- He is not an emissary from HMG to the Chinese authorities.
He is not carrying any message from HMG.
Have you briefed him?
We have not given him any briefing in advance of this visit.
Do you regard the timing as unhelpful?
- Sir Percy Cradock is a private individual and the decision to visit China at this time is entirely his own. We understand that timing is related to a meeting he is attending in Shanghai.
Did you ask him not to go?
He is aware of our views.
UNATTRIBUTABLE
- We have told Sir P Cradock that in our view the timing of his visit is unhelpful and that our preference was that he should not visit Peking.
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p.crad.MIN.NJH/JRB