TNAG-0217-FCO40-253-Detainees-and-prisoners-convicted-for-offences-during-the-di-1970 — Page 64

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CYPHER/CAT A

RESTRICTED

IMMEDIATE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TO HONG KONG TELEGRAM NUMBER 726

RESTRICTED. 271715Z

27 OCTOBER 1970. (HKD)

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FOLLOWING PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION BY MR, JOHN RANKIN IS FOR ORAL REPLY ON 2ND NOVEMBER:

"TO ASK THE SECRETARY OF STATE IF HE WILL DIRECT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AS AN ACT OF CLEMENCY, TO FREE THOSE LONG-TERM PRISONERS SUFFERING FROM INCURABLE ILLNESS)''

2. QUESTION DOES NOT SPECIFICALLY REFER TO CONFRONTATION PRISONERS. IF THERE ARE NO LONG TERM PRISONERS SUFFERING FROM INCURABLE ILLNESS WE WOULD PROPOSE TO REPLY ACCORDINGLY. IF HOWEVER THERE ARE SUCH PRISONERS, GRATEFUL TO LEARN THEIR NUMBER AND LENGTH OF SENTENCES AND FOR MATERIAL FOR REPLY AND SUPPLEMENTARIES.

3.

GRATEFUL IF YOUR REPLY MAY REACH US NOT LATER THAN NOON

23TH OCTOBER.

DOUGLAS-HOME

FILE S

H.K.D.

T.E.D.

SIR L. MONSON

IR. MILFORD

P.S. TO MR. ROYLE

RESTRICTED

ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTION U.N.D. (4 COPIES)

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