TNAG-0280-FCO40-316-Visit-of-Parliamentary-under-Secretary-of-Foreign-and-Common-1970 — Page 57

CONFIDENTIAL

Fu Yuk-Fat (9 years: sex chromosomal

disturbances and congenital haemolytic anaemia),

Li Fuk-Chun (10 years : severe abdominal

pain from bullet wound),

Tsui Chun (9 years: multiple burns and

urinary complaints).

We have asked Hong Kong to consider whether in their

view they are eligible for release on medical grounās.

We have had no reply so far.

3 The case for release of these prisoners on medical

grounds is, in our view, compelling, In January 1969

two prisoners were released on health grounds with little

apparent public reaction. In December 1969 T'ang Chuen,

a Communist prisoner, died in prison; this elicited a

protest from Peking. Prison Rule 69A specifically

denotes the health of the prisoner as a reason for early

release. One of the prisoners suffers from cancer and

all are in pain or severe discomfort. Clearly, we cannot

afford another death in prison, and none or the prisoners

is likely to be in a condition to cause trouble in future

if released. In the circumstances, it seems very doubt-

ful to us whether the releases would cause much stir in

Hung Kong. But it would certainly be marked by the

Chinese as a gesture on our part, given their known

interest in this matter. For the reasons set out in

paragraphs 7 9 below, we believe that it is very

important in terms of Sino-Hong Kong and Sino-British

relations that we should make some gesture over sick

prisoners.

!

2

1

CONFIDENTIAL

140