TNAG-0334-FCO40-370-Visits-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Af-1972 — Page 18

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFRONTATION PRISONERS

Brief No 5

BACKGROUND

1. As a result of the rioting in 1967 1,832 men and women were

convicted of offences and imprisoned. On 1 January this year only

23, mainly convicted of violent crimes, were still in prison. The

sentences of all long term prisoners in Hong Kong are reviewed

regularly by the Prison Board of Review which makes recommendations

to the Governor. The prisoners' state of health and conduct are

all taken into account together with any other relevant factors.

During 1971 a total of 45 confrontation prisoners were released

with reduced sentences on the recommendation of the Prison Board of

Review. On 9 December 1972 the Board of Review recommended reductions

of sentences for 6 further prisoners. They will be released at a

rate of roughly one a month between January and mid-July. The

press was informed on 18 January of the first 3 releases.

Chinese Government has also been informed. A further announcement

will be made at a later date about the remaining 3.

2.

The

By the end of July, 17 confrontation prisoners will remain.

The Governor's aim is to work for a solution of this problem in

the course of 1972 based on:

a. a series of releases (no grand gesture);

٣

b.

an offer to the Chinese to deport the hand core

whose sentences cannot be reduced.

3.

The Chinese have not made a major issue of this question for

some time but lose few opportunities to mention it. For instance,

Mr Tam Dalyell MP gave the Chinese an undertaking to "look into" the

question after his visit to China in November. Four British subjects

2

CONFIDENTIAL

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