TNAG-1585-FCO40-2159-Hong-Kong-prisons-and-prisoners-1986 — Page 167

18.

National Council for the Welfare of Prisoners Abroad

347a Upper Street, London N1 OPD

01-226 1668

9th

January 1985

Dear John Morris,

John Morris M. P. House of Commons, London SW1

re

TAI-PEI PRISON, TAIWAN

The National Council for the Welfare of Prisoners Abroad is a charity working on behalf of british people in prison overseas I enclose some literature about our organisation.

is nearing the end of a 3 year and 7 month sentence and expects to be released without notice some time within the next two months. He does not have possession of his passport, and will need emergency travel documents to leave Taiwan. We. understand that

passport is being held by the authorities in Hong Kong, where he has a charge involving a stolen credit card still outstanding.

On his release from prison in Taiwan

wants to come home as quickly as possible. He says that he has suffered a great deal over the last three years, he has forfeited £4500 to the Hong Kong court, and that he cannot face any more time in custody. We understand that under normal circumstances the passport office in London would issue emergency travel documents so that a person in need could return home. In this case, they are only prepared to issue a permit

to travel from Tai-Pei to Hong Kong. I have spoken to a Mr. Gunn of the Nationalities and Treaties Department of the Foreign Office, who confirms that they are not willing to issue emergency travel documents to

to enable him to return to London, even

though his parents are willing to pay for his ticket.

We share the concern felt by

family. They are worried about

mental wellbeing, and extremely anxious that he should return home as soon as possible. The tell us that you know about

case, and that you were able to help before. Is there any way you could help now, to reunite the family as soon as possible ? Please get in touch with me if you have any queries about the current situation.

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Phelan

c.c.

Margaret Phelan

THIS IS A COPY THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN

CLOSED UNDER

FOI EXEMPTION NO.. 40.

SPONSORS: Archbishop of Canterbury: Earl of March and Kinara; Lord Gifford QC; Lord Avebury: The Rev the Lord Soper; Bishop of Repton; Lord Beaumont of Whitley: Rabbi Hugo Gryn; John Wheeler JP,MP

TRUSTEES: Lord Melchett; Don A-

NCWPA is a Registered Chanty No 281.

Marone Bereza; David Bernstein; Richard Branson; Anthony Burton; Dr Judith Ennew; Hugh Pierce