TNAG-1103-FCO40-1353-Hong-Kong-case-of-Christopher-Clements--imprisoned-for-murde-1981 — Page 5

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8310/7

PS/Mr Ridley

Ridyey

ist typt

HONG KONG: MP'S LETTER: MR KEITH STAINTON MP

Problem

A

1.

10/7/11R

здо HICH 380ld RECEIVED IN MATRY HO. 51

15 JUL 1981

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

REQUSTRY

PA

Action Taken

No MOS?

15

JIS POR 117

To reply to a letter of 30 June to the Secretary of State

from Mr Keith Stainton MP about a constituent's son in prison in

Hong Kong.

Recommendation

2.

I recommend that Mr Ridley write to Mr Stainton on the

lines of the attached draft.

Sea

나

See

нки 380% HER 387

1977

Background

3.

Christopher Clements, a ship's cook from Sussex, was jailed

in Hong Kong in 1977 for the murder of a prostitute. Mr Stainton

wrote several letters to Dr David Owen and Lord Goronwy-Roberts

during 1977 on behalf of Clements' parents about prison conditions

and arrangements for the trial.

4.

5.

Mr Stainton's present letter asks for three things:

a) guidance over a newspaper report that prisoners will

be granted special remission because of the Royal

Wedding;

b) an assurance that the Hong Kong prison authorities

will show 'utmost flexibility' to the Clements when

they visit their son in October;

c) advice on petitioning the Governor of Hong Kong.

We have confirmed with the Home Office that the report on

remission is without foundation. On (b), we cannot give

assurances, that would be quoted in Hong Kong, that the prison

/authorities

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