TNAG-0027-FCO40-63-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 125

Cypher/Cat A

CONFIDENTIAL

PRIORITY PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Telno 124

9 October, 1967

158

CONFIDENT IAL

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No.124 of 9 October, Repeated for information to Hong Kong.

152

Hong Kong telegram to Commonwealth Office No.1487:

Visits.

Prison

I realize Hong Kong Government's considerable difficulties in this matter and am hardly qualified to engage in controversial conflagration of the matter of legal interpretation. From ordinance quoted however it would seem that visits by relatives and friends are subject to "such restrictions as may be imposed for prevention of crime". It is arguable that visit to prisoner by relatives and NCNA colleagues, particularly colleagues, are likely only to encourage further crime in Hong Kong both by maintaining morale of prisoner and his colleagues and by allowing prisoner to give advice on further conduct of Communist Press campaign. It would follow that restrictions on such visits would be restrictions for prevention of crime within the meaning of the ordinance.

2. If this is accepted it would be possible by administrative measures and without amendment of the ordinance to restrict

or deny visit to Hsueh Ping by his colleagues, if not by his wife.. I realize this may seem to be straining the wording of the ordinance but I must ask that we make every possible effort to establish real reciprocity of treatment and ensure that NCNA prisoners enjoy no solace which is denied to Grey.

Foreign Office please pass Priority Hong Kong 40.

Mr. Hopson

DEPARTMENTAL DIS TRIBUTION

F.O. F.E.D.

J.I.R.D.

News Dept.

C.O. H.K.D.

I. & G.D.

Sent 01002/9 October Recd 06252/9 October

[Repeated as requested]

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