When other applications have
been granted
the release of a significant number of detainnes,
we do not repeat not think that your arrival in
Hong Kong is the occasion for putting pressure on
the Chinese Government by, for example, any parti-
cularly strong or lengthy statements about British
subjects in detention. Nor do we feel that in
present circumstances Hong Kong is the appropriate
place for such statements. Moreover, there is the
danger that anything you said might be misquoted and
distorted as was the case when the former Netherlands
Chargé d'Affaires left China.
This could only cause
embarrassment and would not in our view be helpful
either to the Mission or to British subjects.
3.
Subject to your views, I suggest that, apart
from general expressions of pleasure at being in
Hong Kong and the prospect of rejoining your family,
you might speak on the following lines:
(a) British Subjects
(i) We regard with very great concern the con-
tinuing detention of British subjects and the
failure of the Chinese, despite the repeated
representations which you have made, to give
information about them or consular access to
them.
(11) Your first duty on return to London will
be to report the position fully to the Foreign
Secretary. In the meantime you hope that it
will be understood if you do not go into
details about individual cases. Mr. Cradock
who has taken charge of the Mission will of
course continue to press for information and
/consular
(portcularly
if it Fruched
LAN
Cherci's
internal affaris
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