TNAG-0031-FCO40-67-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 167

CYPHER/CAT A

CONFIDENTIAL

PRIORITY FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING

TELNO 555 24 MAY, 1968

(F)

Copy

an HWB 3/14

562

CONFIDENTIAL.

ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NO. 555 OF 24 MAY.

REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO GOVERNOR HONG KONG.

M.1.P.T.

NEWS DEPARTMENT SAID THE FOLLOWING UNATTRIBUTABLY.

THE RESPONSE OF THE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES WAS MODERATE AND THE

WHOLE INTERVIEW WAS CONDUCTED IN A LOW KEY.

MR. SHEN PING SAID THAT THE CASES RAISED BY MR. RODGERS WERE

BEING EXAMINED AND, WHILE HE HAD NO PRESENT INFORMATION ABOUT

THE BRITISH SUBJECTS IN DETENTION, WE WOULD BE INFORMED IN DUE

COURSE.

SINCE MR. SHEN PING'S LAST CALL ON 5 APRIL THERE HAS BEEN

SOME MOVEMENT ON THE QUESTION OF EXIT VISAS FOR OUR STAFF IN PEKING

AND WE HAVE HAD CONSULAR ACCESS TO MR. GREY.

ASKED WHETHER THERE WERE ANY BRITISH SUBJECTS IN DETENTION

OTHER THAN THOSE WHICH WE HAD MADE PUBLIC, WE SAID THAT WE HAD

PRELIMINARY REPORTS FROM HONG KONG OF THE DETENTION OF ANOTHER

BRITISH MERCHANT NAVY CAPTAIN IN A CHINESE PORT.

UNTIL WE HAD FURTHER INFORMATION FROM HONG KONG WE WERE NOT IN A POS-

ITION TO GIVE ANY DETAILS.

SOSFA

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

F.O.

F.ED.

NEWS DEPT.

CONSULAR DEPT.

P.U.S.D.

DEFENCE DEPT.

C.0.

H.K.D.

NEWS DEPT.

LAST

REF.

561

NEX)

ALF.

1530/5

P.a.

CONFIDENTIAL