TNAG-0280-FCO40-316-Visit-of-Parliamentary-under-Secretary-of-Foreign-and-Common-1970 — Page 59

CONFIDENTIAL

Argument for Further Review

7. There are in our view powerful arguments for the

further review of sentences based on the principle set

out in Colonial Office circular 557/60 of May 1960 that

there should be regular roview of sentences (correctly)

imposed for exemplary purposes.

passed since the disturbances.

Three years have now

Hong Kong is calm and we

have proved beyond any doubt our determination not to be

cowed by Communist pressure. The Communists have

tacitly recognised this by calling off the campaign of

violence and by instructing their followers to keep within

the law. The Chinese leaders in Peking are pursuing

relatively pragmatic and moderate policies at home and

abroad. None of the confrontation prisoners already

released has, to our knowledge, been re-arrested for

violent breaches of the law. It is very unlikely there-

fore that any of those released in future would r sort

once more to violence: if they did so, it would be

against Poking's present express instructions.

Morcover,

the question of confrontation prisoners is a major

irritant in Sino-Hong Kong relations (as well as Sino-

British relations), which could complicate the solution.

of other problems which are always likely to arise

between Hong Kong and China.

8. The Governor will argue forcefully that we cannot

interfere with the course of justice. If we concede the

principle of premature release, we shall undermine public

/confidence

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CONFIDENTIAL