TNAG-0217-FCO40-253-Detainees-and-prisoners-convicted-for-offences-during-the-di-1970 — Page 8

is

CONFIDENTIAL

thune discussed the rechost with our ".. Mention and Hon. Magan

Sir S. Tomlinson the plight auctions

imilrnell i

Ane

So for as

have made

the drozt is mady jor desfartel.

Jual Son sli

I have discussed with Mr. Laird the draft telegram to

Hong Kong attached to the submission below and attach a revision.

You will see in this that we have turned the arguments more in the

direction of Hong Kong's wider interests rather than those of the

U.K. I think this is an approach which is likely to be more

effective with the Governor whose withers quite frankly are not

likely to be much wrung by the frustration of U.K. export possibili-

ties in China. If you agree the revised draft, could you send it

on direct to Miss Deas.

2.

I should perhaps comment on the reference to the Governor's

Executive Council in para. 5 of Mr. Morgan's minute. I assume that

the word "official" in the sentence I have side-lined should

read "unofficial" but, while it is possible that the Governor might

think it necessary to take the unofficial members of EXCO into his

confidence on a matter of such general public interest and

importance, he is under no "statutory" obligation to do so except

in capital cases. He does however consult with his "Board of

Review" long-term prison sentences which comprises the Attorney-

General (Chairman), the Director of Medical and Health Services

or his representative, the Director of Social Welfare or his

representative, the Deputy Colonial Secretary or his representative

and two unofficial members (Mrs. Ellen Li and Mr. Fung Kam-chung).

He has always in discussion laid great emphasis on carrying the

last two with him and has given me the impression that both of

them are, if anything, too susceptible to fears of criticism from

their friends if they are too lenient.

c.c.

Mr. J.A. L. Morgan

Ливибрат

(L. Monson)

4 January, 1971

CONFIDENTIAL