TNAG-0216-FCO40-252-Detainees-and-prisoners-convicted-for-offences-during-the-di-1970 — Page 20

CONFIDENTIA

Reception at the Chinese Office on 14 September

BRITISH SUBJECTS

51/6

Talking Points

I am deeply concerned that no progress has still been

made over the six British subjects detained in China. When

Sir Aleo Douglas Home received you on 5 August, he stressed

the importance which we attach to this matter. In particular,

and

I

he mentioned the cases of

have myself taken up their cases with you and emphasised the

profound anxiety among the general public in this country and

in Parliament about their future. This concern will

inevitably grow if we continue to have no news about them.

2. We are glad to learn of the release of

This

is a positive step in the right direction. At the same time,

I wish you to know May ...ce દ

release two more

*·.*

prisoners in Hong Kong have been released with full remission,

and five more are due for release in the course of this month.

This will leave 80.7 With one minor exception, all the

prisoners released in Hong Kong have had full remission of

one-third of their sentences.

had been given

If

remission on this scale, he would have been released several

months before his eventual dato of release, on having served

two years of his three-year sentence.

CONFIDENTIAL

14.

The