copies for our files.
We have retained
I am afraid that there is little information
that we can give you at present about the
Gordons. We are in constant touch with
Mr. Gordor's brother, Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, and
my colleagues in the Foreign Office have
written to his mother and father, and to other members of his family who
are aware of all the
information in this letter.
The facts are as Mr. Jeffrey Gordon
describes them. Mr. Eric Gordon worked for
the Chime Government, in the Foreign Languages
/Press in
David Fatkins, Esq., M.P.
House of Commons.
Press in Peking, and lived in the Friendship
Hostel. This is a hotel for foreigners most
of whom are employed by the Chinese Government.
Neither he nor his family were ever in touch with our Mission in Peking
and it was consequently extremely difficult for us to find out anything
about them when we received information they had disappeared. Moreover,
the fission, as you will
be aware, has to work under considerable diffi-
culties. We have, however, done what we can to
obtain some positive information about the Gordons. The Chargé
d'Affaires has made formal approaches to the Chinese authorities 1.
Peking regularly since 3 February and the Mission have telephoned the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs weekly in efforts to find whether the
Cordons are in fact under
detention. Bill Rodgers, when he was Parliamentar Under-Secretary, also
pressed for information from the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires ad interim in
London. So far unfortunately the Chinese have responded to none of these
approaches.
The only evidence which we have is a report from a foreign resident of
the Friendship Hostel,
who has told a member of our Mission that
Mr. Eric Gordon
Mr. Eric Gordon and his family reappeared some weeks ago for about a
day, apparently under no form of restriction. Fe are doing our best to
find corroborative evidence for this report.
I am sorry that I can only give you such a tentative reply, but I am
sure you understand the problems which we face.
(MICHAEL STEWART)
WEBDL $1-743
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry No.
F41/42
Z DRAFT
Letter
Type 1 +
(4)
To:>
From
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret. SecreL Confidencial.
Restricted. Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
Kr. David Watkins, M.P.,
House of Commons.
Secretary of State
Telephone No. & Bet,
Department
Cur
In Cadence
Jul
despatches
MAX
Thank you for your letter of 9 July about
Er. Eric Gordon, whom we believe may be in
detention in China. I am returning the
correspondence you enclosed.
copies for our files.
We have retained
I am afraid that there is little information
that we can give you at present about the
Gordong. We are in constant touch with
Mr. Gordon's brother, Er. Jeffrey Gordon, and
my colleagues in the Foreign Office have
written to his mother and father, and to other
members of his family who are aware of all the
information in this letter.
The facts are as Mr. Jeffrey Gordon
describes them. Mr. Eric Gordon worked for
the Chinese Government, in the Foreign Languages
Prees in Peking, and lived in the Friendship
Hostel. This is a hotel for foreigners most
of whom are employed by the Chinese Government.
Neither he nor his family were ever in touch
with our Mission in Peking and it was consequently
extremely difficult for us to find out anything
about them when we received information they
had disappeared.
Mill
Moreover, the Mission, as
you may be aware, has to work under considerable
Bifficulties.
We have, however, done what we
pan to obtain some positive information about
the
the Gordone. The Chargé d'Affaires has made
/formal
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
formal approaches to the Chinese authorities
in Peking regularly since 3 February and the
Mission have telephoned the Ministry of Foreign
Affaire weekly in efforts to find whether the
Gordons are in fact under detention. Bill
Rodgers, when he was Parliamentary Under-
Secretary, alao pressed for information from
the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires ad interim in
London. So far unfortunately the Chinese have
responded to none of these approaches.
The only evidence which we have is a report
from a foreign resident of the Friendship
Hostel, who has told a member of our Mission
Ar
that/Eric and Gordon and his family reappeared
some weeks ago for about a day, apparently
under no form of restriction. We are doing
our best to find corroborative evidence for
this report.
I am sorry that I can only give you such
tentative reply, but I am sure you understand
the problems which we face.
Rh 23
7
Taphous
نا
5
110. Pockham Roach, London, SE15
5th July, 1968
My Ref: HS/HE
Mr. H. Walker,
Secretary,
A.E.U. Group of E.P.s.,
House of Commons,
Westminster, London, 8.W.1.
Dear Harold,
RECEIVED IN .ARCHIVES No.31
29 JUL 1968
F21/42
Enclosed please find copies of self-explanatory correspondence, which
has received the consideration of Executive Council, who have decided
that the matter should be placed in your hands,
It is appreciated, of course, that this is a difficult and delicate
problem and that the Foreign Office are already involved.
However, perhaps the matter can be discussed at the forthcoming meeting
on Monday next.
Best wishes.
Yours sincerely
High Scantor
сал
HUGH SCANLON.
From the office of the President of the Amalgamated Union of Engineering
& Foundry Workers. High Scanlon.
+
+
1
1
I
43
later cup".
My Ref: HS/HE
4th July, 1968
+
I.
Kr. J. Gordon, 71 Hertford Road, East Finchley, London, N.2.
Dear Mr. Gordon,
+
Further to ny letter of the 31st May, 1968, I have to inform you that
the matter of the detention of your brother, his wife and family lu
China has now received the consideration of my Executive Council.
It has been decided that the best course to adopt with regard to this
distressing problen is to place the matter in the hands of the Secretary
of the A.E.U. Group of M.P.8 for his attention and possible action.
I do sincerely hope that the end result of your untiring efforts will
bring about a speedy reunion with your brother and his family.
7
!
Yours sincerely,
HUGH SCANLON,
PRESIDENT
1
+
F
:
+
+
+
+
سر
EXT/DC
Kr. E. Fro:,
District Scoretary, XANCHESTER
L
4th July, 1968
Dear Sir and Broth
We would refer to your communication of the 24th May, 1968,
acimo::ledged by us on the 24th idon, and would express our regret at
the delay in giving consideration to this matter, This has been duc,
however, to the attendance of Hlecutive Council at various conferences.
Executive Council have now decided to refer the apparent detention of
Mr. E, Gordon and his family in China,
Secretary of the A.E.U. Group of H.P.3 for his attention and Fossible
action.
Yours fraternally, p.p. J. CONWAY
UKIERAL SECRETARY,
2
¡
TUD. 8697
YOUR REF: HS/HE.
Dear Mr. Scanlon,
letter
of May
your
state that
71 HERTFORD RD
RD.,
EAST FINCHLEY
LONDON, N2.
23.6.68.
3
You for your
31st. thank you
would be discussing the subject
brother, his wife and s
your Excecutive Co you
شد
Conta
9
has
China.
son's
fully appreciate the fact
of my
that
I with
you
are
wondering
Let
been
taken.
with thada umoin
much preoccgred
very alters,
whether
but
could
you
and the decision
know if the matter has
discussed
Dr. J. Needham, Chairman of
S.A.C.U., and Lord Bertrand Russell have made engines in
China, but
response.
for there has been
*
+
५.
ext
to
Qui
still making
مفت
enquiries,
to
date.
but without
The Foreign Office contine
press
the
itimisty for information
the
Foreign.
whereabouts in China.of..
the fordon family and
other
at
British nationals numbering
least twelve, but as
there has been no
عليه
عره
doing
yet
response?
you
appreciate all
to help..
Your sincerely,
Jaffrey Gordon
(JEFFREY GORDON)
[
+
I
سرية
L
31st May, 1963
lly Ref: HS/ME
Kr. J. Gordon, 71, Hertford Rond, Fest Finchley, London, 1.2.
Dear Mr. Gordon,
Thank you for your letter of the 28th instant, wherein you request ny
assistance in tracing the whereabouts in China of your brother, his wife
and
son,
Hy Executive Council have, however, clready received a "communiontion
from our Inchester District Committee on this distressing zettor and
will be discussing the subject at their next Executive Council mooting.
I trust tint this knowledge will help relieve sone of your natural
anxiety, end feel that far pore can be achieved if the matter is pursued
officially, rather then for ne to deal with it on an informal besis.
Ky best shes to you in your efforts.
Yours sincerely,
HUGH SCANTON,
I
Tudor 8697
Dear Mr. Scanlon,
71 HERTFORD ROAD
EAST FINCHLEY
LONDON, N.2.: 28.5. 1968:
the hope that the A. E.U!
ฐ
writing
No
amay
my
able to help, in some way,
whereabouts in
the
brother
and
ERIC their son
to Diranca
China of
GORDON, his wife MARIE,
KIM (aged 11). Since the end of October, 1967, when they wrote that they
would be leaving Peking for England, nothing has been
head of
of
from them?
OVER SEVEN months.
brother is
My
Our
O
perod
member of
the N.Qu. J. and I have written
to the secretary, Mr. Bradley about
the whole matter.
the
Whilst it would
Chinese
I
seem that that westen organizations,
with contempt, they should have
مرد
+
respect for the trade union
comment
Ax
My
هه
hola.
brother and his wife Bean trade unionists.
would be most appreciates executive of the A.E.U. consider the
the possibility of Chinese Legation
very gut if the would
contac
the
Portland Plans, W...,
or
Chinese Foreign Ministry in Peking. Pressure of this kind
them to
this kind right compel
reveal the whereabouts
China of the Gordon family. the full
6
Own
enclos
details of the people involved.
P. S. 9
und
Yours sincerely,
Joffrey Gordon
(JEFFREY GORDON)
Mr.
Clive Jenkeis
also writing to sito. Clive
-
дет
-
4
L
fir. Eric Gordon
DETAIL: OF THE TROPLE INVORVED
Born in Ka hester, England. A British subject.
Aged 36/37 years;
European;
Jewish.
-k-reporter. Has worked on papers in Southond and Nottingham, on th
Brentford and Chiswick Gimes, the Reynolds News, the Daly Herald and in
the Exchange Telegraph News Agency.
Intere ›d and sympathetic to the social experiments taking place in
China
Native Language: English.
English. Learned a little Chinese whilst in Pekin.
Mrs. Marie Gorda, Born in England. A British subject of a Ghanese father
and an English mother. Is coloured with curly black hair, dark
complexion, etc. Aged 32/33 years.
Has worked in clerical and secretarial capacity nainly. After this a
housewife then student. Accepted to study for a degree at London School
of Economics upon her return.
Native Language: English. Could speak a little French. Learned uone
Chinese whilst in Pekin.
Interested in social experiment occurring in China, as was her husband.:
Kin Gordon - son of the above.
Born in London, England. A British subject.
Lod 12 years.
Slightly tanned complexion, brown but fairly tightly curled hair.
Native Lanuage; English. Said to be proficient in Chinese sinco he had
attended Chinese school whilst the family in China (2+ years).
L:
+
+
بهمه
L
Details c. Visit to China, Projected Journey
Back to England, otc,
In 1954, Eric Gordon's job with the Daily Herald was terminated due to
ral redundancy.
Ho and his wife had always been interested in developing countries and
had considered living temporarily in Ghana, India, Czo slovamis, among
other countries. novều to any of these countries, although they did
visit Hungary
However, they had not and Poland.
in 1954, the Chinese Legation was interested. in obtaining the services
of English-speaking people for work in Pekin. introduced to the then
Chinese Chargé D'Affairs by one or both of They were the following
people:-
Mr. Jack Shapiro,
100, Brim Hill,
Hampsteed Garden Suburb,
London, H.2.
HIGhate 1697
and
Mr. Derek Bryan,
85, Holden Road, London, N.2.
HILlside 9072
Insurance Agent.
Member of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding. (S.A.C.U.)
Lecturer in Chinese + Holborn College of Law
Languages & Commerce,
Membor (and ex-Secretary) of S.A.C.U.
The GordonSleft England for Fekin in February, 1965, where Eric Gordon
was employed by the Foreign Languages Press, English Section, Room 307,
Pai Wan Chuang, Pekin, 37, China, where he was improving the
paraseology, etc. of material already translated from the Chinose. His
wife was employed as a teacher of English to students of 16 years and
over, and the son attended a Chinese school.
When first in China, Eric Gordon submitted some articles on China to the
Sunday Telegraph, which published them. doing this at the request of his
superias in the Foreign Languages
ho stopped
Fress.
The Cultural Revolution began in about August, 1966 and the wife stopped
teaching and the child (together with all other schoolchildren) stopped
attending school.
During the whole period of their stay, both adults wrote regularly to
their respective parents, usually at fortnightly intervals. The only
longer interval was once for 4 weeks a when they took a trip to the
interior.
Eric Gordon's contract expired in February 1987, 32).MA.
family cotuinea a six monen extensioni
I
+
However
Fekin for Hong Kong on 31st October. However, friends in China have
confirmed that they left Fokin on 5th November intending to to Hor Kong
via Shanghai and Cunton. Since this time (weeks) no nov has been
received from them.
30
Recently, the Foreign office told certain reportors the kils which have
appeared in the press togethor with information about two naval
officers. The Foreign Office have been making what
e quiries they can without any success so far.
Before any of this information is made public, the following parties
must be consulted:
Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, (brother to Bric)
71, Hertford Rd.,
East Finchely, N.2.
TUDor 8697
Mr. George Fottle (brother-in-law)
81, Bedster Gardens,
Hearst Park,
West Mcasey, Surrey. 679-8867
H
2
+
+
L
+
HS/LF/KS
EF/DE
29th May, 1968.
Mr. E. FrOW,
District Secretary,
MANCHESTER,
Dear Sir and Brother,
We acknowledgo receipt of your letter of 24th May rolative to Mr. Eric
Gordon and his family, whom you stato are apparently dotaimed in China.*
This will receive the attention of the Executive Council and a further
letter will be sent to you as soon as we have any information
1
Yours fraternally, P.p. J. CONWAY, Generel Secretary.
کمہ
I
-
+
DEF
Amalgamated Union of Engineering & Foundry Workers
Our rat
EF/DE
Manchester District Secretary
& Frow
to whom all communications should be addressed
120 Rusholme Rost Chorlton-on-Medlock Manchester13
Telephone Ardwick 4385/6 Please confine sech latter to one subject
District Seal+
Your f
Mr. J. Conway,
General Secretary.
24th May, 1968.