TNAG-0280-FCO40-316-Visit-of-Parliamentary-under-Secretary-of-Foreign-and-Common-1970 — Page 66

CONFIDENTIAL

Sick Prisoners

In May this year we learned from other

sources that local Hong Kong Communists were

discussing with Peking the question of Sick

Prisoners. In the same month two delegations

visited the Colonial Secretariat on behalf of

are

sick prisoners. We informed by the

Colonial Secretariat that six donfrontation

Prisoners (including one of those mentioned by the delegations) are now suffering from

severe illnesses. In brief, their names,

sentences and illnesses are:

-

Chau Chu-Ming (6 years: cancer),

Yeung Nai (8 years: severe neurological pain),

Chan Sai-Kit (8 years: blindness in both eyes

and severe headache),

Fu Yuk-Fat (9 years: sex chromosomal

disturbances and congenital

haemolytic

olytic anaemia),

Li Fuk-Chun (10 years: severe abdominal pain

Tsui

from bullet wound),

Wobb 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 grounds. We have had no reply so far.

3. The case for release of these prisoners

on medical grounds is, in our view, compelling.

January

In Februry 1969 two prisoners were released

on health grounds with little apparent public

December

a Communist prismer,) reaction. In fotober 1969/T'ang Chuen, 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.

CONFIDENTIAL

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