TNAG-0224-FCO40-260-Administration-of-Government-of-Hong-Kong-1971 — Page 17

Hong Kong Department,

HK K 1/20

33

44

20 November, 1970.

I have had a letter from David Trench saying, inter alia, "I was annoyed to see that the man who threatened to blow up two BOAC planes got off: If they protest, please tell me;

and I expect BOAC are. I was as upset as they

doubtless vere, Sometimes it seems to me the Courts have become so obsessed with what our Communist friends rightly call the game of law' that they forget their duty of disclosing the truth."

I am enclosing a cutting from "The Times" of 11 November. This contains all tha. we know of the matter. We have, however, been in touch with the Department of Trade and Industry and they have told us that to the best of their knowledge BOAC have not protested against the man's acquittal. They think it unlikely that BOAC will take the matter up but they have promised to tell us if any move is made by the Corporation.

We should be grateful if you could let us have the background to this rather extraordinary incident.

(E. 0. Laird)

Sir Hugh Norman-Walker, KCMG, OBE,

Government House,

HONG KONG,