TNAG-0028-FCO40-64-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 172

CONFIDENTIAL

official level with the Commonwealth Office who share the

Governor's and our own misgivings. Before putting the

metter to Ministers, I think we should consult Sir D. Hopson

further. I have suggested that our views should be sent by

telegram because the bag service is slow and I think it

important that we should clear our minds about the case as

soon as possible. The Managing Director of Reuters is due

te discuss the case with Mr. Rodgers next week.

8. If Sir D. Hopson can be persuaded that retaliation

against N.C.N.A. in London is a possibility, we shall require

a Ministerial approach to the Home Office to try to get them

to change the position taken up last year when the then Home

Secretary would not agree that there were grounds for

expelling N.C.N.A. personnel.

9. Subject to your views, I think it would be helpful if

the telegrams tc Peking could go from the Permanent Under-

Secretary in order to indicate to Sir D. Hopson that his

views have been very carefully weighed at the highest official

level.

Copy to Mr. Carter, C.0.

(J. B. Denson) 19 January, 1968

CONFIDENTIAL