TNAG-0028-FCO40-64-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 180

CONFIDENTIAL

reservations (Hong Kong telegram No. 50) though he has indicated willingness to make limited and graduated concessions, some of which have

He has undertaken Aww taken already been made.

to let us have his further views. If we accept Sir D. Hopson's reasoning, the only way forward on the Grey case is by means of unilateral concessions to the Chinese, in particular a major and probably damaging concession in Hong

Kong •

We have discussed the matter at official

level with the Commonwealth Office who share

and as own

Before putting the

the Governor's misgivings.

matter 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. 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

G

N.O... personnel. Subject to your views, I

think it would be helpful if the telegrams to

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.

Flag

(241

The Managing

Briector of Renters

is due to discun

the case with

Mr Rodger mexr

Wuk.

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

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