FCO 21/848 Detention of British subjects in China Mr David Crook





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TITLE: Detention of British

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FCO 21/848

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H L1 Davies Esq

Far Eastern Department

FCO

Dear Hugh,

CROOK FAMILY

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OFFICE OF THE BRITISH CHARGE D'AFFAIRES

Al Mugen REGISTRY NO.50 17.9

RECEIVED IN..

1971

FEC 14/4

PEKING

6 September 1971

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1. Paul and Michael Crook, two of the sons of David Crook, came in to see me last week, on behalf of some Russian residents of the Foreign Languages Institute who wanted Hong Kong transit visas. They were extremely worried that the Chinese should not get to know the business on which they had come, suspecting, doubtless rightly, that the authorities would regard it as illegal consular activity.

2. They were more ready to talk about their father than the previous time they called on you, perhaps because I was able to tell them of the assurances John Denson had received from the MFA about their father's health. They confirmed that they had not seen him since 1967, and had heard nothing officially about him. They also confirmed earlier rumours that we had heard on the grapevine from the Foreign Languages Institute that their father's case was thought, at the Institute at any rate, to be less serious than those of the other detainees from the Institute. Sidney Rittenburg's case was said to be the most serious, followed by those of Shapiro and the Epsteins.

3. They, meanwhile, are living with their mother and elder brother, Ralph, in the Institute, and are being well cared for, though their periodic requests to leave ere being ignored. Their mother is still working. They have recently been taken on a tour of several provinces by the Chinese, and are now to go to an automobile factory as apprentices. They thought that the Chinese were doing this merely to keep them occupied, and very much hoped that they would not have to serve the full apprenticeship course, which lasts 3 years, They are all well enough off, and in no financial difficulties. They have left me an address to write to in case we wish to see then at any time. I have invited them to use our library, and to come to our filmshows at any time they wish.

4. I also asked then if they would like us to intervene with the MFA on their behalf. They said that they would rather we did not do so at this stage, but would let us know if we could do anything to help in future.

Copied to:

CJ Howells Esq, Hong Kong

J DI Boyd Esq, Washington

سها

They A C Galsworthy

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LAST PAPER

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OFFICE OF THE BRITISH CHARGE D'AFFAIRES

FEKING

6 April 1971

R B Hervey Esq

Far Eastern Department

PCO

Dear Harvey,

1.

FEC

David 'Stockwell of the Canadian Embassy has told us that Paul and Michael Crook had recently called on him to ask whether they had any entitlement to Canadian citizenship through their mother, who is Canadian. (As you will know, they are the youngest and middle of the 3 sons). It appears that they do not, since Canadian citizens have to be born in Canada to obtain citizenship, if their father is not Canadian. The boys told Stockwell that they would like to go to Canada to study and work, and that they thought they might be able to leave "fairly soon Stockwell did not ask them at this stage about their parents or elder brother.

2.

Stockwell is going to Hong Kong this week where he will discuss the case of the Crook boys with the Canadian immigration authorities. He has arranged with the Crooks for them to see him again on his return from Hong Kong, when he hopes to talk in rather more detail with them. He thinks that it will probably be possible to arrange for them to go to Canada if the Chinese will let them out.

3.

Stockwell has promised to keep us informed of any devel- opments. It is possible that the boys have had some hint that they may be able to depart soon. At all events, it is fairly clear that they still find their british nationálity embarrassing.

Yours ever, топувал

AC Galsworthy

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OFFICE OF THE BRITISH

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12 January 1971

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Far Eastern Department Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Jear hen,

DAVID CROOK

Fascinating.

Entein Nachmanspl. стри

1. A few lines in haste for the bag. Paul Ralph Crook, the youngest and Michael Alan Crook, the middle son, Came in to the Office this afternoon. I had received a letter from Faul a few weeks ago about the renewal of his passport and had written back suggesting that he call on me, not really expecting that he would. The two of them arrived plus aul's passport.

2.

Michael said that he had once been in the Office before (i.e. pre-fire). He had come largely for the fun of it this time but also to make an enquiry about whether he could obtain Canadian citizenship, through his mother.

On my suggestion he said he would take this up later with the new Canadian Embassy. He was interested in Canadian citizenship because he wanted to go to the States and he understood Canadians had easy access. He certainly spoke with a Canadian accent, but he told me that among the three boys they always spoke in Chinese which came much easier to them. Faul's English was not so accented but it was hesitant, as was his writing. Michael said his real complaint about life here was the impossibility of getting any education now. He had tried some correspondente courses but without much success. Michael borrowed two historical novels from the library and Faul took a few Newsweeks. told them we had weekly filmshows and said that we hoped to see them at this year's Queen's Birthday Farty.

3. I asked Michael direct what news there was of his father. He became very embarrassed and changed the subject. I went back to it a little later and he admitted that they had not seen him for a long time. When I asked about their mother he said they saw her a lot; I therefore took this to mean that David Crook is still under detention.

I could

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however, get nothing definite from the boys. I pointed out our interest in the matter and told them that we had heard indications that their father might now be free. No response, except to say that they had no financial problem. I took this to mean that Crook's salary continued to be paid. I asked if they knew that most other British subjects were now free. They said they knew little about this but had heard something vague about the Gordons; they also asked who the person released on 25 December was. I asked if they knew anything about Gladys Yang (they "had heard of her"), Elsie Epstein and Michael Shapiro (they "used to know them"). We spoke briefly about Rewi Alley

whom they claimed not to know.

4. I am afraid this adds up to little, but at least it is the first time we have had face to face contact with any of the Crook family since David Crook's detention. It is perhaps a sign of the time that the Crook sons should feel able to visit the Mission, but given the boys equivocal answer on their father's position we still remain in the dark about his present circumstances.

[

H LI Davies

c.c.

Consular Department, F.C.O.

Mr. Howells, Assistant Political Adviser, Hong Kong Mr. Boyd, Washington.

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