Cypher/Cat A
CONFIDENTIAL
ГОР СОР
2320
IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFF ICE
Telno 23 5 January, 1968
CONFIDENTIAL
Addressed to Peking telegram No.7 of 5 January, Repeated for information to Commonwealth Office.
231 Your telegram No. 387 [to Foreign Office of 31 December]:
Prison Visits.
We propose that the Assistant Political Adviser pass the following message to NCNA in the near future and at least by Monday 8 January.
Begins:
"You telephoned me on 22 December about special visits for NCNA staff members and certain other people now serving prison sentences. This matter was discussed in August, and I personally informed Mr. Poon Tak-ising on 11 August that special visits to the members of NCNA then in prison could be arranged. As you know, Hsueh Ping and Lo Yu-ho have been receiving normal and regular visits which have included visits by members of the staff of NCNA.
Nevertheless, H.M. Charge in Peking informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 31 December that the Hong Kong prison authorities would be likely in certain circumstances to grant permission for special visits to Hsueh and Lo, provided that the prisoners personally requested them. The NCNA could without difficulty write to them suggesting that they ask for special visits by NCNA officials.
As for the request concerning winter clothing and foodstuffs, persons serving prison sentences in Hong Kong have no need of extra food or clothing. Clothing is issued in accordance with the scale recommended by the Director of Medical and Health Services and covers all winter needs; and the food scale which has been worked out by dietetic experts of the Medical and Health Department provides for a balanced and ample intake by each prisoner of 3,000 calories a day. However, clothing may be sent in for prisoners on the understanding that it will be kept in store and issued to them when they are released.
As regards the request from other organisations that they will be allowed to send representatives to visit either prisoners, the prison authorities will consider any request from any prisoner for a special visit to him personally. There can be no question however of visits to large number of prisoners at the same time".
RECEIVED I ARCHIVES No. 63
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