TNAG-0111-FCO40-147-Detainees-and-prisoners-following-19671968-disturbances-1969 — Page 41

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CONFIDENTIAL

Note of a Meeting between Lord Shepherd and

Mrs. Grey and Mr. Maw on

Tuesday, 14 January, at 4.00 pm

After welcoming his visitors Lord Shepherd said

that when Mrs. Grey called on Mr. Rogers in the Foreign

Office in 1967 he (Lord Shepherd) was at the time dealing,

among other things, with the affairs of Hong Kong. In

that capacity he was as familiar with the circumstances

of Mr. Grey's detention as his Ministerial colleague

in the Foreign Office. He mentioned this to indicate

that he was fully conversant with the facts.

2. Lord Shepherd assured Mrs. Grey and Mr. Maw that HMG

have been exploring all ways and means to bring about the

release of Mr. Grey from China. He stressed the difficulties

and explained that many factors had to be taken into

consideration. For example, if we were to accede to

Chinese demands over Mr. Grey it could give rise to wider

repercussions affecting other Britons, not only in China

but elsewhere. He thought he should also point out that

HMG were as concerned about the other Britons arrested in

China as they were with Mr. Grey.

He was

3. Lord Shepherd said that he proposed to speak frankly. But what he had to say was strictly confidential.

sure that Mrs. Grey and Mr. Maw would understand the need

to keep what he said completely under their hats, otherwise it could seriously endanger the prospects of Mr. Grey's

release.

CONFIDENTIAL

14.