TNAG-0216-FCO40-252-Detainees-and-prisoners-convicted-for-offences-during-the-di-1970 — Page 64

(*)

C.S. 41A

2600077

10,000-3/70-B74512

CONFIDENTIAL

RECEIVED IN

REGISTRY NO ST

REF. CR 1/2856/69

NKK 1/12

COLONIAL SECRETARIAT

LOWER ALBERT ROAD

HONG KONG

Confrontation Prisoners

14th July, 1970.

34.

26)

Thank you for your letter of 29th June. A monthly forecast of releases is being drawn up and should reach you soon. Meanwhile t here has been more than one suggestion here (which you will know of) that the health of the prisoners should be taken into account; which perhaps explains an otherwise puzzling and abrupt increase in the numbers of confrontation prisoners reporting sick in recent weeks. We have nothing very firm to go on for the moment, but we shall also draw up and will send you a copy of a bill of health on the half dozen or so least well of the prisoners with a note of their offences and sentences.

As the only official exchanges on the prisoners are taking place in London it would be interesting to know whether you have formed any impression that the Chinese might be moving towards a proposal for a deal of some kind. We don't want to give the idea currency by making any reference to it here, but we are beginning to prepare ourselves in case the question arises.

It is not that we dismiss the possibility of releasing sick prisoners. Circumstances could arise in which the early release of à very ill prisoner might be preferable to the prospect of another case such as that of Tang Chuen, who died in prison in December 1969. There is a precedent in the early release of two prisoners on medical grounds in January last year (Hong Kong telegram no. 133 of 10th

HICK13/2 (1968) February 1969). But it would be a different matter to consider the

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release of prisoners who were designated as sick by the Chinese. Any any suggestion of a deal which might involve confrontation prisoners directly or by implication would encounter the same well- charted objections here as if health were no criterion.

This is perhaps all overdrawn. The Chinese in London may be content with advance notices of the normal programme of releases, but they might be entertaining wider ideas. Reference to sick prisoners may continue to appear in other papers from Hong Kong and we should be grateful for occasional comment in the light of what you learn in London.

L.V. Appleyard, Esq.,

Far Eastern Department, F.C.O.

(*)

c.c. J.N. Allen, Esq., Peking.

(C. J. Howells) Political Adviser

The figures which have come out since this was dictated show a sharp drop in prisoners reporting sick.

CONFIDENTIAL