TNAG-0031-FCO40-67-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 207

CONFIDENTIAL

5.

for dealing with such prisoners.

Sir D. Hopson believes

that despite progress in other fields relations cannot

get back to anything like normal until the issue of

prisoners is settled. He underlines the relevance of

this to the treatment of all British subjects in detention

in Chine. (Other than Mr. Grey there are thought to be

some 10 of these.) This is a very large issue to introduce

at this stage and I think that it might be unwise to inject

it into discussion of Mr. Gray's possible release. If

Mr. Grey is to be released before 1969, the Governor will

have to be asked at some point to make some unpalatable

concessions and we do not wish to make his difficulties any

greater.

Copy to Mr. Carter

CONFIDENTIAL

(James Murray)

2 May, 1968