TNAG-0029-FCO40-65-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 53

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- 5.

party to the Genova Diplomatic Convention), we would still

face the sano problems. Moreover, if we expelled merbera

of the Mission, the Chinese could retaliate either by

expolling key members of our Mission in Peking, to the

detriment of its efficient functioning, or by declaring

them persona non grata but stripping them of their diplomatic

status and refusing to allow them to leave. This they did

in 1965 to the Dutch Chargé d'Affaires who was held for six

months in Peking pending the settlement of a cage in tho

Netherlands involving Chinese nationals.

(b) Chinese in categories (C) end (D) could be deported

under the Aliens Order if it were judged by the Home Secretary

that this was "conducive to the public good". Last year there

were exchanges between Mr. Brown and the then Home Secretary

on this matter in the course of which it became clear that the

Home Office were most reluctant to act against N.C.N.A. under

the Aliens Order. We had asked them to do so in retaliation

for the placing of Kr. Grey under house arrest. The Home Office

argued that the Aliens Order should not be used "as an instrument

of foreign policy" and emphasised that under it Chinese who

had been resident in this country for more than two years had

the right to appeal to the Senior Metropolitan Magistrate

against deportation. The Chinese have in any case made it

clear that in the case of Mr. Grey progress will depend on

concessions in Hong Kong and that they are not likely to be

influenced by punitive action against N.C.N.A. in London.

17.

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