TNAG-0111-FCO40-147-Detainees-and-prisoners-following-19671968-disturbances-1969 — Page 146

Mr. Moreton Mr. Godden

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The Governor of Hong Kong raised with me and I, in turn, have raised informally with Mr. Godden the question of a request made by Mr. Anthony Royle, M.P. that he should pay a visit to the detainees in Hong Kong when he goes there later this month. As a result, I sent a telegram to the Governor (Tel. No.1674, copy attached) saying that we would be discussing this with Lord Shepherd after Xmas and would report his views.

Recommendation.

2.

I recommend that we advise the Governor that, in our view, there may be, on balance, some advantage in allowing Mr. Royle to visit the detention centre in a representative capacity as Chairman of the Anglo-Hong Kong Parliamentary Group;

that, if necessary, a matching visit might be allowed by any visiting Labour M. P. (preferably a member of the Group); and that other requests by M. P.s for visits should be turned down. A draft letter to the Governor is attached.

Background and Argument.

3.

Detainees are treated very much like prisoners on remand. They receive visits from relatives and friends and, in connection with the preparation of any representations they may make to the Committee of Review, from their legal advisers. The detention centre has been visited three or four times by the representative of the International Red Cross in Hong Kong; and, I understand, by Lord Shepherd.

4.

The Governor is very doubtful about refusing a visit by a Member of Parliament, not only because of the standing of such a person but also because it may be thought that there is some thing to hide. On the other hand he is very reluctant to widen the scope of visits since it would open the way to other requests e.g. from communist organisations in Hong Kong claiming to have a special interest in the detainees; and it would be difficult to resist requests from any other M.P.s visiting Hong Kong (of which there is a steady trickle) with possible attendant problems of maintaining a balance between the parties to which they belong.

5. Mr. Royle will not be accompanied by any other M.P.; the special invitation to him to visit Hong Kong is by way of a gesture in his capacity as Chairman of the Anglo-Hong Kong Parliamentary Group. He will be preceded by 3 Conservative M.P.s and a matching visit by 3 Labour M. P.s will follow at Easter.

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