TNAG-0031-FCO40-67-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 211

CONFIDENTIAL

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(d) We explain to the Governor that there would

be great difficulty in resting where we are;

we shall be under considerable public and

parliamentary pressure to demonstrate that we

are doing our best to secure an amelioration

in Mr. Grey's conditions, particularly to secure

further visits. In our view there is very little

chance of achieving this unless there is a further

round of visits in Hong Kong.

Background

7.

Sir D. Hopson considers, and I agree, that after the

visit to Mr. Grey (Peking telegram No. 341) we should not

rest on this achievement (Peking talegram No. 348).

He can

of course tackle the Chinese immediately regarding the con-

ditions under which Mr. Grey is being held and, if he is

authorised, rebut certain Chinese complaints about the alleged

isolation of Commnist prisoners in Hong Kong. It is possible

that he may make some limited progress in this direction.

As

Flag € (59) long Zong have pointed out in their telegram No. 536, all

Communist prisoners in Hong Kong enjoy the monthly privilege

of visits from friends and relatives. The next step therefore

would seem to be for Jir D. Hopson to attempt to secure

similar monthly non-official visits to Mr. Grey, e.g. by

the wives of members of the Mission or by other members of

the foreign community in Peking.

8. Sir D. Hopson expects, however, that the Chinese will

turn down his request. I am afraid this is almost certain.

CONFIDENT IAL

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