TNAG-0110-FCO40-146-Detainees-and-prisoners-following-19671968-disturbances-1968 — Page 112

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b)

Given the understandable degree of interest in Parliament

and elsewhere about the other British subjects detained

in China, we would certainly be criticised if it became

known that we had attempted a bargain with the Chinese

either tacit or specific, which related to the release

only of Mr. Grey. (It is not to be forgotten that

Mr. Gordon and Mr. Barrymaine are also professional

journalists.)

10. The courses of conciliatory action in Hong Kong to be

considered are these:-

a)

Remission of the sentence on various categories of

prisoners including the 13 newspaper workers.

Mr. Cradock has argued strongly in favour of this on

general grounds, as diminishing what is bound to remain

a continuing irritant in Sino-British relations. He has

also suggested that such a gesture, since it could be

presented as an act of clemency, might look less like a

direct capitulation to Chinese pressure than the release

of the 13 news workers in exchange for Mr. Grey. The

Hong Kong authorities have argued that it would be very

difficult to determine a basis on which to select prisoners

for such a partial amnesty;

partial amnesty would be much too severe a blow to public

confidence in Hong Kong, not merely for the present but

against any possible future resumption of last year's

troubles. I think we must support them in this.

and that in any case such a

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/ b)

The