FCO 21/45 Whereabouts of Eric Gordon and family

PART

20/123

*File No.

(N.B. The grading of this jacket must be the sure as that of the highest graded document contulaed in it. The appropriate upgrading slip must be affixed when over necessary, ¿

CONFIDENTIAL

FOREIGN OFFICE

DEPT.

FAR EASTERN

TITLE:

DETENTION OF FOREIGNERS: IN.

ERIC GORDON // A FAMILY.

REFER TO

DEPT.

DATE DEPT.

NAME

DATE DEPT.

REFER TO

NAME

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DO NOT RETAIN FILES AND PAPERS UNNECESSARILY RETURN THEM TO REGISTRY FOR B.U. OR P.A.

FILE

OPENED

CLOSED

2.5.68.1

FILE No.

FC142

(N.B. The grading of this jacket must be the same as that of the highest graded document contained in it. The appropriate upgrading oliy meat be afted when ever necessary,

CONFIDENTIAL

PART

A O

Passport Form @ Cultninge.

Chelsea

RCHIVES No. .

17 SEP 1968

Sepr F21/42

13 Drugs to Mr. Suljo cousni

(r) See Grim telations.

John,

Grateful if the

3ne

now

Could

star

This off

то

too.

I'll

be popping

near week

dolt.

I'm lurching with H. Mason o Gulsward on Tuesday, seeing Paul G-B at 3pm. so I might pop in after ther

I think

Jou

swa

you

has same

newspaper

cultings for me,

मा

овесели

WITH

perbaus

I could

collect them

He same

time,

your

"Donaldh

and zł

Над

To din D Hapura 22, Westbourne - Gdus.

VED IN

ARCHIVES No. 31

17 SEP 1968

Fei/42

Dear Sir

до

Hove,

Sussex, BN3. 5 PP. 2nd September, 1968.

am very glad that you were

able to obtain

виша.

visa to leave

Thank-you, and the British Mission in Peking, for the efforts on behalf of my brother, Eric Gorda, his

wife, Marid, and their son,

Ша

aged twelve years;

Kin Kim,

who have

bεEn detained by the Chinese

for about eleven months.

you

think it would be

possible for Mr. Stewart to make personal approach to Chou En Lai; and Mao Tse Tung?

ша

مة

As the British Mission in

Peking is working under

difficulties, we wondered whether it might be better if Mr. Stewart intervened personally, and made personal representations to the Conest Government. - And if Mr. Wilson also,

Kim has not been to school for two years since the cultural revolution began in August, 1966. He could be

intervened!

Eric has an old

unwell now.

we had

back injury caused by guitars when Lit was a

child :/ Both Eric and Marie, used to have stomach trouble at times, and it is possible that the strain they are under has brought it on again

Thank-you very much indeed.

With Best Wishes,

Yours sincerely,

A. Gordon, (Miss.)

Dear Sir

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 31

16 SEP 1968

Fai 142.

FE dept for that exply from

th. Rodgers, pl.

22, Westbourne Gardens,

Hove

Sussex, EN3. 5PP

28th. May, 1968.

gr 2015

We should be obliged if you could please be so kind as to let us know whether you have any news from China yet, of our son, Eric Gordon, his wife, Marie, and their son, Kim, aged twelve years.

We are very worried about them, and hope that they are not

ill.

We would be very grateful for any information you could

give of our son and his family.

Thank-you very much indeed. With all best wishes,

Yours sincerely,

A. Gordon. (Miss)

A. Gordon, (Miss),

EP. MR. & MRS. 3. GORDON, & FAMILY.

Mrs. Gordon + Mr. 3. Gorch + Familys

(Mrs. S. Gordon, and är. 3. Gordón, and Family.).

Kyply@

@ (35) / letter from W. Rodgers of

ह्ल

June)

JOH

COMMONS

From: Hugh Jenkins. M.P.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

LONDON, S. W.1

FED

Dear Michael,

seei

14th September, 1968.

Mr Foley...mw16/9

I shall be grateful if you will give the

enclosed communication from Miss Anita Gordon of

22 Westbourne Gardens,

Hove, Sussex, BN3.5PP.

+++

....your attention

and send me a reply which I can forward to

my constituent.

Please acknowledge.

Hugh

re:

Detention by the Chinese of Eric

Gordon and his

family,

H.C.918 (300063) 1 SM SLS.

5.31

1 7 SEP 1968

F9/42

ست

142/W.80

Dear Sir,

22, Westbourne -Gdus.

Hove

Suss

SUSSEX BN3.5pp.

9th September, 1968

My parents, sister, brothes in London, and myself, would be very grateful if you could possibly, please help, regarding my

brothu,

Eric Gordon, his wife Masid, and their twelve Year old son, Khem; who have been detained by the Chinese for eleven months.

We have written to our own M.Pd. Mu brother, Jeffrey, who lives in London, has been in touch with ur. J. Mendelson, M.P, who has a plan, and is waiting for other H.P.". to approach him. I will mention more about this plan, after I have given some details about Eric and his family.

The Foreign Office has asked the Chinese for information many times, but they have not, so far, received any reply. We know

لسنة

the Foreign Office are

trying, (also thee British Mission in Peking; although they are

working under difficulties,), and we doing

all they can.

сам

My brother, fiftrey of Londen, has been to the Chinese Embassy several times, but he was not given any information.

on a

amy

We have not had a letter from my

brother, Eric, and his family, for cleven months, and they used to write regularly every week. -The last letter we received was dated, 28th October, 1967; and Eric said he would send the next letter from Hongkong, beforl getting on Cargo boat to return to England; but we did not receive letto. There must be something wrong for his lettos to stop so suddenly, after he had written so regularly Each week for nearly three year We are all very worried about them, (particularly mother, who is elderly, and

father, who is only partially sighted,), and hope that they are not ill. Although they probably have been, or may

be now.

}

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We are especially concerned about thein, who is only twelve years old. - Also, he will not have had any schooling since the cultural revolution began in August, 1966. Eric and Mariz, used to have stomach trouble at times, and the strain they ate under now may have brought it on again. Exic also old back injury, caused by a fall

child, which has always

has an

when he was a

troubled heim.

My brother Eric, with his wife and son, 1 - worst to liking to work, in February, 19655

-They were due to leave China to return to

England

about the 5th November, 1967, by Cargo boat from Hong kong, but they did not cross the border into thongkong, as ther

record of it. - The Foreign Office

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has looked into it.

Eric stayed, with his family at the Friendship Hostel in Peking. They have been in Peking for over

three years. Eric was a newspaper reporter in England.

am sure that

muy

brother, and his family,

would not break any of the Chinese laws and regulations.

My other brother, wr. Seffrey Gordre, who lives in London, has been in touch with, Mr. John Mandelion, M.P., for Penistone; who has

promised to take a pasonal interest in the whole matter. His success in putting pressure on the Chinese depends to a great extent the interest of other M.P., becouus E their support will strengthen any represenations be has the opportunity to make to the Chinese, or elsewhere.

In view of this, we would all be very grateful if you would approach Mr. John Mendelson, M.P., at the first opportunity,

so that

concerted plan of action be discussed. (We have all contacted wown My?".) Other members family and friends, are also contacting their MPs asking them to approach Mr. J. Claudelson, 41.6) in the same

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would all be very grateful if you could possibly, please, contact us. J. Mendelon, MP;

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who is waiting for other MP?" to approach him.

We would all be very grateful for, and really appreciate, your help in this matter. We are all British Subjects.

Mrs. Joyce Will, of Ayrshire, whose husband.. has also bee detained, is also asking Wer MP to contact Mr. 8. Mendelson.MP. Also another lady, of thoreham, Sussex, where brather has been detained, is asking her MP. to contact Mr. J. Mendelson.

We would all be glad to hear from you when you have the time.

such

am sorry to taker

long letter.

up your trine with

Thank you very much indeed. With Best Wishes.

Yours sincerely,

Anita Gordon. (Mis.)

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report

the Friendship

یک جیران

Hostel, who told a usmber of the British Mission in Peking that, Eric and his family with sssor one day at this Friendship's Hostel,

few weeks before. This report, is so unconfirmed, but the Foreign Office we doing their best to find corroborative evidence. - But the present atmosphere in Peking, makes

this sort difficult to follow up contacts of

- ast,

Eric and his family, did not cross the border into Hongkong,

as there is no

record of it` - The Foreign Office has looked units it.

HOUSE

COMMONS

From: Stanley Orme, M.P.

(Salford West)

3. Far East

Myc Foley

3ep ember 12, 1958.

RECEIVED IN

ARCHIVES No. 31 16 SEP 1968

134

F¢

FC 1|42

Dear Fr. Stewart,

Mr. Orme has asked me to forward to

you the enclosed letter from Miss Anita Gordon of 22 Westbourne Gardens, Hove, who would like information as to the whereabouts of her brother and his family; Kr. Eric Gordon, his wife Karie and their twelve year old son Kim, which family have been detained by the

Chinese.

Would you please let Kr. Ome know if there is anything you can do to trace this family and if possible, advise Mr. Orme of our findings.

Yours sincerely,

Jant B. Gilson

Privat

Secretary

The Rt. Hon. Kichael Stewart,

.P.

Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs

W 79

LEO.

FCI |

Dear Sir,

22, Westbourne - Gdno.

#tove,

Sussex, BN3.5PP.

9th September, 1968.

My parents, siete, brother in London, and myself, would be very grateful if you could brother, possibly, please, help regarding my Coric Gordon, his wife Marie, and their twelve year old son, Keim, who have been detained by the Chinese for eleven months.

The Foreign Office has asked the Chinese about them several times; but they have not so for, received any reply. We benow the Foreign Office are trying, and have done their utmost. Also the British Mission in

Peking; - but they are working under difficulties.

My brother, Jeffrey Gordon, who lives in London, has visited the Chinese Embassy several times, but he was not given any information

We have not had a letter from my brother,

Mr Starnby Omne M. P.

[

Eric, and his family, for Eleven mouthes,

and they word to write regularly every week.- -The last litter we received from that was dated 24th October, 1967 Ema said he would write the next letter from Hongkong. before getting

Cargo boat to return to England; but we did not receive any letter. There must be something wrong for his letters to stop so suddenly like that, after he had written so regularly Each week for nearly three

years. We are very worried about them, particularly mother, who is Elderly, and hope they are not ill. Although they probably have been ill, or may

be ill now.

We we expecially concerned about Kim, who is only twelve years old. - Also, we will not have had any schooling since the cultural revolution began in August,

1966. Eric and Marce, used to havs stomach trouble at times, and the strain they wh un

are under may have brought it on again. Eric also has an old buck injury caused by a fall when he was a

child,

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which always troubles him.

Eric, with his wife and son, went to Peking to work, in February, 1965, at The Foreign Languages Press

Press. He was due to Crave China, to return to England, on about the 5ts November, 1967, by Congo boat from Hongkong, but Eric and his family did not cross the border into Hongkong.

there is no record of it.

-The Foreign Office has looked into it

Eric stayed, with his family, at the Friendship's Hostel in Peking. They have been in Peking for over three years. Eric was a newspaper reporter in England. I am sure

brother, and his family, would not

the Chinese laws and

that

break regulations.

any of

My other brother, who lives in London, has been in touch with Mr. John Mendelson, M.P. for Penistone; who has promised to take a personal interest in the whole matter. - His success in putting pressure depends to a great extent on other MPs, because their support will strengthen any representations he has the opportunity to

that Chiness the intrest 7

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make to the Chinese or clsewhere. In view of this, we would be very grateful if you could

approach Mr. f. Mendelso, MP. at the fist opportunity so that a concerted plan of action

be discussed. (We have contacted our own MP.". also) Other members of the family, and friends, are contacting their MPs asking them to approach Mr-9. Mendelson, MP. in the

We would all be very grateful

many

sament way.

if you could also possibly, please contact Mr. Mendelson, MP, who is waiting for other M.P.". to approach him.

brother,

We would all be very grateful for any

ive regarding my Eric, and his family. We are all

you could

help you

British Subjects.

you

We would all be glad to hear from

и оча

have the tint.

when y With Best Wishes

Thank-you very much indeed.

P.S. Un gryct

Will, Argoshise, is aboo asking

also hi HP. to critact

Her. Manchelsa,MP. (Heshustand has also

Yours sincerely,

Anita Gorda (Miss)

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They was probably mistaken; as in fume this the Foreign Office received some evidence, - report from foreign resident of the Friendship Hostel, - who told a member of the British Mission in Peking that, Eric and his family were seem one day at the Friendship Hostel, a few weeks before. This report, is, so far, unconfirmed, but the Foreign Office are doing their best to find Corroborative evidence. But the present atmosphere in Peking makes contacts of this sont difficult to follow up.

case,

dry

Eric and his family did not cross the border into Hongkong,

as there is no record of it. The Foreign Office was looked with it.

JOH

COMMONS

From Martin Maddan MP

1. 7 knowledg

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eat.

to see

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 31

16 SEP 1968

seen FL1142

as not seen FC

rent fo10th September 1968

draft reply tron. Mn Coley

alise

and 12/9

Nichael Stewart

I have been approached again by my constituent, Miss A. Gordon of 22 Westbourne Gardens, Hove, Sussex, about her brother Eric his vife Marie and their 12 year old son Kim who have been detained by the Chinese for about 11 months.

She suggests that various MP's join together in a campaign to persuade you per- sonally to take up the case of her brother.

However, I know from long experience what care and concern the Foreign Office takes about our nationals who are in trouble in this way, and before committing myself to any pub- lic campaign, I would like your latest news and advice.

With every good wish,

Yowa

تلف

The Rt Hon Michael Stewart MP

Sec. of State for Foreign Affairs

Foreign Office

Downing Street London SW1

ウッ

DiD.

£612/9

11 Kapfember, 1988.

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 31

16 SEP 1968

F42

76,

Thank you for your letter of 26 August about your brother, Mr. Eric Gerden.

I have discussed the ease of your brother with my colleagues in Poking and in the Foreign Offies. Thile in Jaking, I made repeated requests to the chinese for information about him and for consular access to him; unfortunately without sucos01. There is therefore nothing I can add to what has been enid in letters you have received from Ministers in the Foreign Office. In present sireunstɑness in Feking it is exceedingly difficult to obtain any information about foreigners in iifficulties. The only people who night be in a position to help us in the case of your brother are his fellow-residents of the Friendship Bestel who working for the Chinese authorities; you will remember some time ago that we board a rumour that your brother had been seca, but were unable to confiîm it. Per obvious remecas, these employed by Chinese Government are reluctant to be seen to be too friendly with Diplomatie Missions, particularly sur in view of the present strained state of Sino-British relations,

I would be happy to see you, though I should not in fust be able to tell you say more than the above. If. nevertheless, you would like to make an appointment, please ring 930 8440, Extn. 143. I shall be going away on 19 September, so it would have to be before then er after ↳ Detober.

I am sorry I cannot be more encouraging. It mat have been a vary worrying time for you and your family.

Mr. Jeffrey Gordon,

71 Hertford Road,

East Finchley,

LONDON, IN.

(D. C. Hopsan)

WE'L 319433

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

Registry No.

Letter

DRAFT

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

To:-

Top Secret.

Secrck

Confidential.

Restricted.

Unclassified.

PRIVACY MARKING

Mr. Dewern

In Confidence

for fir D Hissom

who

yuré

the can of blunc

Type 1 +

From

Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, 71 Hertford Road East Finchley, N.2.

Sir D. Hopson

Telephone No. & Ext.

Department

Thank you for your 16tter of 26 August

about your brother, Hr Eric Gordon.

I have liscussed the case of your brother

with my colleagues An Peking and in the

Pelering Foreign Office. Zive, of-e-urse made sex made

repeated requests to the Chinese for

hum for

information out and consular access to him;

un folliasidy Withal Shears

I am sure you are all tee awarË

Succese we Ave, had in extraOSTĘ There is myst

Unh epily 4 cm su nothing

what has bem sont m

hij

how 14ttle

com, and all to the

letter you home faanivad

's Jõu pavė, regelved from Ministers in

Blekut durchmer↑ams in

the Foreign Office. In Feking it is

daeredibly difficult to obtain any information in dificulta

Петиции

end your brotherle

De ma postm

E-

The

палась рейок

The onl

to help w

-us/org his ellow-residents of

Who old working for the Chrmansy

Wothing the Friendship Hostel; you will remember soxé

time ago that we heard a rumour that your

brother had been seat, but were unable to

for téxtor óbvium teasm, those confirm it. It is, of Mom Se very 111-

gdvised or foretre employees or the Chinese

se serie Taul

Government/to be seen to be too friendly with

no R p Missions particularly our own, in the

preser:t-atmosphere of suspicion MINI- 3

* strained

Sino-British relations.

Time in England were a9

to haya

relaxing as you hope! In fact there que an

incredible number of jobs to be done after

such a long absence and fear that it would be

very difficult to arrange a meeting,

Tuzcure

I can

assure you

YOU, however, that every effort is being

made to discover what has become of your

brother Eric and wis family, and that his

possible detention

subjects in China

and that of other British

remains a matter

highest priority.

Sel

I would be happen to

you, though I

у на

Should not in four be able to tell

you may move

than the above.

If nevertheles

you

i would like

make an appont mar

please ring

Whitehall 8440 Lxrn 143

I Shall be going cavay

So A would have to

198 Syprowls,

be before then

or at the beginning after in Ornote.

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Det fik for you are your

119% warrying time

fanny

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

Perdings

third Hops Thy HERTFORD ROAD

•TUD OF 8697

น or

RECEIVED IN

ARCHIVES No.31

16 SEP 1968

FC 1142

EAST FINCHLEY LONDON, N. 2.

26. 8. 68.

Dear Sing shall be glad f

allow

discuss with

if you

will

you,

at the

earliest possible time, the circumstances

surrounding the detention

brother ERIC

China

GORDON, his

KIM.

Lipe MARIE, and their son

"The four parents concerned

wife

and relatives

مه

are

how d

desperate with anxiety' the Gordons in Peking

it is nearly eleven months heard of,

last

have

σε

from.

do hope you

are

time noto that

relaxing time

were

having

you

returned to England. Your sincerely,

Jeffrey Gordon

yogaffrey

(JEFFREY GORDON

चीप

Private Secretáry Secretary

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 31

16 SEP 1968

FC 1/42

Flag A

Flag B Flag 7 and

Flags E3 E and

Mr. Eric Gordon

I attach draft replies to letters from Mr. Jeffrey Gordon

to the Prime Minister and to the Secretary of State.

Mr. Gordon is the brother of Mr. Eric Gordon, whose case is

described fully in my submissions of 1 and 28 Kay. There have

been no developments since then.

2. I recommend that the letter to the Secretary of State should

be answered at a lower level. Mr. J. Gordon is in constant

touch with Far Eastern Department, who have informed him of

any news we have had. He and other members of his family bave

written to a large number of public figures, including several

M.P.s, the Lord Soper, the National Union of Journalists and the

Board of Deputies of British Jews. Letters have gone directly

from Kr. Roberts on 7 May, Mr. Rodgers on 14 June and Mr. Foley

on 31 July. The tone of Mr. Gordon's last letter is somewhat

truculent, and I think that our reply should remind him of the

considerable efforts which have been made on his brother's

behalf. (The Gordon family might occasionally bear in mind

that Mr. Eric Gordon should have known the risks he was running

when he decided to become a paid hack of the Chinese Government

helping them to peddle propaganda highly laudatory of the

Chinese régime and highly critical of the society to which his

family would now like to welcome him back.)

Este apa for

Huery.

Jon Wilming

(James Hurray)

9 September, 1968.

F1/42.

FOREIGN OFFICE,

J.V.1.

11 September, 1968.

174+

The Foreign Secretary has asked me to reply to your letter of 28 August about your brother, Ir. Erie Gordon.

It is distressing that you should find the Foreign Office's approach somewhat cool. A personal approach of

type you suggest me in fast made by Mr. George Brom, than Foreign Secretary, who sent a letter to Chan Ti, Chinese Foreign Minister, on 31 August 1967, in the hope that this might bring about some improvement in Jino- British relations. This was, you will recall, just over a wook after ou Xission was barat, So far, we have received no reply, and there is no reason to suppose that a further personal approach would be sny mere successful.

dar

fe were informed of the possible disappearance of your brother on 3 February, some three months after regular hree months after regular correspondenos with him esused. ▲ note was delivered to the Chinese Poreign Ministry the next day seeking information about hin. A further note was sent on 3 Hay, and since then regular representations have been made both here and in Faking, the latest being on 6 September when the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State summoned the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires. fhat little sovs we have been able to discover we have passed izmediately to you. We have been in close touch with several members of your family and have passed to the Chinese a message for Mr. Arie Gordon from your sister, Hiss Anita Gordon.

I am very sorry if you feel that not enough interest has been taken in this case. I can assure you, however, that we have treated the issue of British subjects in China as a matter of the very greatest urgency and seriousness, and shall continue to do so. There are, however, very few possible ways of putting pressure on the Chimane. fe are very conscious, that if we were to attempt retaliatáry measures against the Chinese, this might only increase the difficulties for British subjects in China.

seat toward 11/9

Jeffrey Gerdon,

71 Hertford Road,

East Finchley,

LONDON, 1.2?

(James HurrRY)

Head, Far Eastern Department Awe

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

BIER TOWĄ

Registry 42+ DRAFT

Fa/42

No.

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Top Secret Secret Confidential Restricted. Unclassifies

PRIVACY MARKING

To:-

Letter

Type 1 +

r. Jeffrey Gordon,

71 Hertford Road,

From

Mr. James Murray

Telephone No. & Ext

Department

East Finchley, N.2.

Far Eastern

"In Confidence

The Foreign Secretary has asked me to reply

to your letter of 28 August about your brother,

Hr. Eric Gordon.

It is distressing that you should find the

Foreign Office's approach somewhat cool. A

personal approach of the type you suggest was

in fact made by Er. George Brown, the then

Foreign Secretary, who sent a letter to Chen Ti,

the Chinese Foreign Minister on 31 August 1967,

n the hope that this/might bring about some

Improvement in Sino-British relations.

This was.

You will recall, just over a week after our

Zission was burnt. So far, we have received no

reply, and there is no reason to suppose that a

Further personal pproach would be any more

successful.

Approach

Te were informed of the possible

isappearance of your brother on 3 February, sone

three contha after regular correspondence with

his ceased. A note was delievered to the

Chinese Foreign Ministry the next day seeking

Information about him. A further note was gent

on 3 May, and since then regular representations

have been made both here and in Peking, the lates!

being on 6 September when the Parliamentary Under-

Beoretury of State summoned the Chinese Chargé

d'Affaires. What little news we have been able

/to

to discover we have passed immediately to you.

We have been in close touch with several

members of your family and have passed to the Chinese a message for Vr.Eric Gordon from your

sister, Miss Anita Gordón.

I am very sorry át you feel that not

enough interest has been taken in this case,

I can assure you,/however, that we have treated

the issue of British subjects in China as a

matter of the very greatest urgency and

seriousness,/und shall continue to do so.

There are, however, very few possible ways of

putting pressure on the Chinese.

We are very

conscious, that if we were to attempt

lia-

tory fasures against the Chinese, this might

only increase the difficulties for British

subjects in China.

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

de cost.

22. Westbourne - Gdus.

Hove,

Sussex, BN3.5PP.

Saf.

2=" Septembo, 1968.

10 Suzy

Dear Sir,

Thank you very much for your

last letter.

Thank you very much indred ofor

sending my British Chargé d'Affaires in Peking, to be handed to the Chinese, in the hope that it will be delivered to brother

other's letter to the

چرا

Thank you very much.

RECEIVED IN APVES No.31

i - SEP 368

Fa/42

to ung

Yours sincerely,

A. Gordon. (Miss.)

Få Dagen-

ра

for advice wrappe

71 HERTFORD ROAD RECEIVED INEAST

INEAST FINCHLEY

LONDON, N.2.

ARCHIVES No. 31

TUDor 8697

12 SEP 1968

Dear Sir,

21/42

montho

since

now

28.8. 1968

almost eleven

brother ERIC GORDON, and their son KIM,

his wife MARIE

last head of

were

China.

of or from in Peking, relatues, and many

friends

a e

Somewhat

Their

pavents,

extremely perturbed at the cool approach of the approm perturbed

"Foreign Office to the Chinese

uch

مفته

loth in Peking and the

Chinese Legation in London

time has

all strongly feel that the

come

approach by part

you

personal

the Prime Minister

park in Peking.

would be kind enough

Perhaps you

to treat the whole matter with extreme

urgency.

Jeffrey Gord

dom

sincess

(JEFFREY GORDONG Jeffrey

RECEIVED IN ¡ARCHIVES No.31

- 9 SEP 1968

Fel/42

Foreign Office

コ

S.W.1

5 September, 1968.

Thank you for your letter of 29 August about Mr. Eric Gordon who is believed to be in detention in China.

Unfortunately there is nothing I can add at the moment to what Mr. Foley said in his letter to Mrs. Thatcher of 29 July.

We have

had no confirmation of the rumour that Mr. Gordon had been seen in the Friendship Hostel.

Sir Donald Hopson was unable to throw any further light on the little we already know about the Gordons. I am afraid that I can only emphasise the difficulty of obtaining any infor mation of any kind in Peking, owing to the unco- operativeness of the Chinese and the understandable fear of private foreign persons to involve themselves with the diplomatic missions of countries, such as Britain, which do not enjoy good relations with China.

If we do hear any news, Mr. Foley will of course let Mrs. Thatcher know immediately.

(L.M. Deas)

Private Secretary to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary

Mrs. Eileen L. Wright,

Acting Private Secretary to

Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, M.P.,

House of Commons,

S.W.1.

ра пла

WER BURD

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

기

Registry F1/2+2 DRAFT

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Top Secret. Secret

Confidential.

Restricted. Unchassified.

PRIVACY MARKING

To:-

Letter

Ers. Eileen L. Hright, Acting Private Secretary to Mrs. Margaret

Thatcher, M.P.,

House of Commons.

Type 1 +

From

Miss Deas

Telephone No. & Ext.

Department

In Confidence

Thank you for your letter of 29 August

about Mr. Eric Gordon who is believed to be in

detention in China.

Unfortunately there is nothing I can add at

the moment to what Mr. Foley said in his letter

to Mrs. Thatcher of 29 July. We have had no

confirmation of the rumour that Er. Gordon had

been seen in the Friendship Hostel.

x. Sir Donald Hopson was able to throw any

further light on the little we already know about

the Gordons. I am afraid that I can only

emphasise the difficulty of obtaining any

information of any kind in Peking, owing to the

unco-operativeness of the Chinese and the

understandable fear of private foreign persons to

involve themselves with the diplomatic missions

of countries, such as Britain, which do not enjoy

good relations with China,

If we do hear any news, Kr. Foley will of

Course let Hra. Thatcher know immediately.

WOL IN7434

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

Registry No.

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

To:-

Top Secret

Secret.

Confidential.

Restricted. Unclassified.

PRIVACY MARKING

In Coulders

DRAFT Letter

Mrs. Eileen L. right,

Acting Private Secretary

to rs. Margaret

Thatcher, M.P.,

House of Commons.

Type 1 +

From

Miss Dees

Telephone No. & Ext.

Department

und Wirrandatsh вете feat A buvare Ванны работо

to muhu

Thumschung with The diplomatic

Comtvis

humm h

Boutons whench

mor enjoy good

Jutri unÁ

eiter

Thank you for your letter of 29 August

about Mr. Eric Gordon who is believed to be in

detention in China

Unfortunately there is nothing

I can

add at

the moment to what Mr. Foley said in his letter

to Mrs. Thatcher of 29 July. we have had no

confirmation of the rumour that Mr. Gordon

had been seen in the Friendship Hostel.

How

lead

Sir Donald Hopson was unable to to my fither light on the Vlittle fe already know about the Gordons

am afraid that I can only emphasise the

difficulty of obtaining any information at Rim

cult

Owning to the unco-operativ in Feking, RTMm Cummer and

the s

of course.

If we do hear any news, Hr. Foley will let

Kfz. Thatcher know immediately.

419

UNCLASSIFIED

Visa Teas

Mr. Eric Gordon

RELLIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31

1 1 SEP 1968

चि

Fe1 / 42

I attach a draft reply to a letter from Mrs. Margaret

Thatcher, M.P.'s Private Secretary.

Flag AG

Kr. Foley wrote to Mrs. Thatcher on 29 July.

The

Flag B(7) background to the case is in Mr. Murray's submissions of 1 May Flag C) and 28 May. There have been no developments since then.

Am Denson

(J. B. Denson) 4 September, 1968

Miss Dean

UNCLASSIFIED

F4/42.0-70.

Mr. Erie Gordon

I attach a draft reply to a letter from Ers, Margaret

Thatcher, M.P.'a Private Secretary,

The

2. Mr. Foley wrote to Ers, Thatcher on 29 July. background to the case is in Mr. Murray's submissions of 1 May

There have been no developmenta since then.

Flag A

Flag B

Flag O

and 28 May.

(J. B. Benson) ↳ September, 1958

Miss Doan

UNDEL GIFTED

Ir. arie Gorden

I attach a draft reply to a letter from Mrs. Hargaret

Thatcher, M.P.'s Private Secretary.

Flag A

Flag B

Plag C

2. Ir. Foley wrote to ära, Thatcher on 29 July. The

backgroud to the case is in Kr. Havay's wubmissions of 1 Muy

and 28 May. There have been no developments since then,

(J. M. Danson) 4 September, 1968

Flag A

Flog B

Flag O

SINTED

Kc. Brie Oords

Y attach a draft reply to a letter from Era, Kargeret

Thatcher, I.P.'s Private Secretary.

2. Er. Pelay wrote to Mrs. Thatcher on 29 July.

background to the case is in Kr. Vurray's submissions of 1 May

and 28 May, There have been ne developments since then..

(J. B. Denson) 4 September, 1968

WIBIL 51-743

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

Registry No.

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Top Secret.

Secret.

Confidential,

Restricted. Unclassified.

PRIVACY MARKING

In Cundanc

DRAFT

Submission

Type 1 +

To:->

Kiss Deas

From

Mr. Denson

Telephone No. & Ext.

Department

Flag A

Flags B and C

Mr. Eric Gordon

I attach a draft reply to a letter from

Krs, Margaret Thatcher, M.P.'s Private

Secretary.

2. Kr. Poldy wrote to Mrs. Thatcher on

29 July. The background to the case is in

Mr. Murray's submissions of 1 May and 28 Kay.

There have been no developments since then.

RECEIVED IN

•..CHIVES No. 31 10 SEP 1968

Fa/42

Mr. Deny

Reference....

Mr. Eric Gordan

I attach a

F/4.2.

daft aply

imevitably of a stalling nature

a letter from Mr. Mayart Thatcher, M.P.'s Private Revetay, and

brief daft covering minute.

Mark A. Hall

4/9.

Jom Jessu

Kote No. 119

Fel/42

The Office of the British Chargé d'Affaires present their compliments to the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, and have the honour to refer to their Notes ummbered 76 and 85 of the 24th of June and the 4th of July, 1968, uh oh requested confirmation of the reported arrest of Mr. Eric Gordon and his family, details of any charges brought

against them and insediate consular access to them,

The office of the British Chargể d'Affaires have so far received no reply to the above mentioned Notes. They again urgently request the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to furnish the information requested on the above British subjects and to permit

immediate consular access to them.

The Office of the British Chargé d'Affaires avail themselves of this opportunity to renew to the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China the assurance of their highest co: aideration.

Office of the British Chargé d'artai ros, PACING

17 August, 1968

HOUSE

COMMONS

Michael,

Sen. 5, 19

Howieds

RECEIVED IN

ARCHIVES No.31

- 9 SEP 1968

F1/42

το

has not seéh

F. E of State Consula Department for

se reply from ...MR foley. new

I am writing on behalf of my constituent, Mrs. Warrawi of 18, Thirlmere, Cumberland Terrien Market, N.W.1. Mrs. Trewi, whose letter I enclose, is very worried about her daughter, Merie Gordon and her family. I understand that Mr. and Mrs. Cordon and their twelve voar old son left Peking for England in October 1967 and have not been heard of since.

↑ GA- T

that other M. Pa have been in touch with you and I anlarise for "ny dunlicetion of work. But I certainly understand mar constituent's opxiatu end I hene that it is now "ossible for further information to be obtained.

Yours sincerely,

Sena

Tena M.Jezer

Rt. Hon. M. Stewart.

LANT

REF

REA

REF.

18 THIRLMERE FLATS CUMBERLAND MARKET OFF ALBANY ST.

Dear Mrs.

Jaeger,

the hope that

MARIE

MAR

trace

LONDON N.W. I.

31. 8. 68.

writing to you will help

you Laughter

GORDON, he husband ERIC,

my ste grandson KIM (aged 12). whote.

at the end of October, 1967, from Peking, that

set

about to

parod

for England. Since then

them.

mouths, nothing has been

from this brother,

ivere

elemen

heard

JEFFREY touch but

son

SUCCESD

GORDON, is in

with

constant

MJJ

the Foreign Office, for detarmthing daughter,

they have hand

whereabouts of my

the

grandson:

daughte's M.P., Mr. Ben and Ms. Margaret Thatcher,

Q.m

mada

routrie

the House of Commons, but I

all satisfied with the

in - how,

السمو

and

whit aber, have

engine on tim

at all

معهود

cool

altitude

and

daughter's safety,

very

of the Foreign worried about my

son~

Would

Offfice to the whole matter.

and

laws, my grandchild

the Prime Min you please insist that

will

and the Foreign

Ade case.

Secretary personally take

fully question wint MR. JOHN

I who

knows the full story.

shall be glad if

discuss the whole you

MENDELSON

Your very sincerely

(MRS, W. WARAN) mas W. Waraur

Land brother lives at

P.S. My 7, HERTFORD RD., N. 2. (TUD. 8697). He can

וד

quickly piras

HOUSE

COMMONS

RECEIVED IN ARCHIV-› No.31

30 AUG 1968

• FC 1142

19th August 1968

Rer and Ack. 29.8. DE. Coment Է

for draft reply please.

Dear Private Secretary,

Mr. Foley wrote to Mrs. Thatcher on the 29th July about Mr. Eric Gordon who is believed to be in detention in China.

Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, brother of Mr. Eric Gordon, has written again to Mrs. Thatcher and asked if there is not some way of getting news of him and his family.

You will remember Mr. Foley said that there had been a report that Mr. Eric Gordon and his family had been seen and the Foreign Office was trying to confirm it.

Is it at all possible that Sir Donald Hopson may have news of the family? I know Mrs. Thatcher would be most grateful if Mr. Foley could write to her in due course with any further information. She is out of London for the next week or so and that is why I am writing on her behalf.

Yours sincerely,

Gillen Z. Wright Acting Private Secretary mes)

To Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, M.P.

The Private Secretary to Maurice Foley, Esq., M.P.

(66)

(FC 1/42)

D. in F. Div.

44 28/8.

Foreign Office, S.K.1.

23 August, 1968.

(65)

I do know of the Eric Gordon case.

A dozen or so letters in a similar vein from Mrs. Gordon and her sons and daughters have been received in the Office through the medium of numerous dignitaries including a number of Keabers of Parliament. There is unfortunately very little to add to the facts as stated by Mrs. Gordon.

The only information of any sort we have is a report from a foreign resident of the Friendship Hostel in Peking who told a member of our Mission that Mr. Eric Gordon and his family reappeared there some weeks ago for about a day, apparently under no form of restriction. We have done our best to corroborate this report but in the present atmosphere in Peking contacts of this sort are difficult to follow up.

Mr. Gordon was employed by the Chinese Government, and had virtually no contact with the Mission. The Office are in very close touch with Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, Mr. Gordon's brother, and will tell him as so n as any news is received. The usual protests and demands for access and information are being made of course, both here and in Peking, but have so far extracted no response. Mrs. Gordon is familiar with all thie information.

There is, therefore very little to tell your friend. I wish there were more. I am enclosing the documents as requested.

Robin Cliver, Esq.,

23 Gledhow Gardens,

8.W.5.

(F. Brewer)

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

GENTIS MUDAA

23/12

Registry

No.

DRAFT Letter

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

To:-

Top Secret.

Secret

Confidential.

Restricted. Unclassified.

PRIVACY MARKING

In Confiden

Robin Oliver, Esq.,

23 Gdedhow Gardens, London, 3.W.5.

Type 1 +

рв

From

Mr. Brewer

Telephone No. & Ext.

Department

I di kaow of the Eric Gordon care. At

I am afraid we love received got

of So

fera dozen letters in a similar vein from

Shows been receval in

Office

Mrs. Gordon and her sons and daughters which the through the veeduino A qumato_us-from, numerous dignitaries includifig

a number of H.P.a

There is very little to

add to the facts as stated by Krs. Gordon.

The only information of any sort we have is

a report from a foreign resident of the

Friendship Hostel in Peking who told a member

of our Mission that Er. Eric Gordon and his

family reappeared there some weeks ago for

about a dey, apparently under no form of

restriction.

We have one our best to

corroborate this report but in the present

atmosphere in Peking contacts of this sort

are difficult to follow up.

Jur. Gordon was employed by the Chinese

Government, and had virtually no contact with

The Office

the Mission.

are in very close touch with

Kr, Jeffrey Gordon, Mr. Gordon's brother, and will

aug desi cewed.

aball tell him as soon as we receive any nOWG,

ef course_making the usual protests

Cam basing winds of comme

and demands for access and information, both

but

here and in Peking, and have so far extracted

no response. Mrs. Gordon is familiar with all

this information.

tovec, decayfore, very

"There were curre

little & tell gaus

friend. I wish there

an luxclosing

documents as requested.

22/0/68

Fc42

FOREIGN OFFICE, 8.V.1

21st August, 1968

Thank you for your letter of 12th August with which you enclosed a short note from your parents to your brother in China.

I shall be sending your parents' letter to the Office of the British Chargé d'Affaires in Peking by our next diplomatic bag; and I am asking them to hand it to the Chinese authorities with the request that it be delivered to your brother.

You will know only too well from the previous letters you have received from the Foreign Office and no doubt from your brother, who keeps in regular touch by telephone with my department, about the difficulties of our Mission in Peking. I can only promise therefore that they will hand the letter to the Chinese. We have no guarantee unfortunately that the Chinese will deliver it, nor even that they will tell us whether or not they are going to. If by any chance the Mission was at last able to see your brother," they would of course deliver the massage from your parente personally.

I can assure you that our Kission are continuing regularly to approach the Chinese for information about your brother and that as soon as we receive any information,

shall let you know.

Kiss Ann Gordon,

22 Westbourne Gardens,

Here,

Šustez, 193 5PP.

ве

(James Murray)

(Far Eastern Department)

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

EINE LEIAA

Registry No.

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Top Secret.

Secret.

Confidential.

Restricted.

Unclassified.

PRIVACY MARKING

In Conflé

DRAFT Letter

Ta:

Miss A. Gordon,

22 Westbourne Gardens,

Hove,

Sussex, EN3 5PP.

Type 1 +

From

Mr. Murray

Telephone No. & Ext.

Department

and I www

asking there to

Laund it

If by any chaney

the Thesion woun

last ath to se

your butthes. Kepy would of courofe deliver the assage from your ponents

personally

adj

Thank you for your letter of 12 August

with which you enclosed a short note from

your parents/to your brother in China.

I shall be sending your parents' letter

to the office of the British Chargé d'Affaires

in Peking by our next diplomatic bag; witha

request that it be handed to the Chinese

with the request that

authorities who will of the same time be

to your brother asiya te orrange for it to be deliveredf

You will ungezetend only too well from

the previous letters you have received from

the Foreign Office and no doubt from your

brother, who keeps in regular touch by telephone

with my department, of the difficulties of our

Mission in Peking. I can only promise

therefore that they will hand the letter to

the Chinese. We have no guarantee

unfortunately that the Chinese will deliver it

nor even that they will tell us whether or not

they are going to.

I can assure you however that our Mission

are continuing regularly to approach the

Chinese for information about or your brother

and that as soon as we receive any information

shutt

I will let you know.

And

21 Any.

...... kurray

Reference FC 114.2 11.63.

In her letter (attached) Miss Ann Gordon asked that we send a letter from her parents to her brother, which she enclosed, to Peking and try to persuade the Chinese to deliver it to her brother.

I have forwarded the appropriate letter to Peking with a covering note and attach a draft reply from you to Miss Gordon.

(E. J. Sharland) 20 August, 1968.

TheBank

zon.

22, Westbourne Gardens,

Hove,

Sussex, BN3 5PP.

12th. August, 1958.

ARCHIVES No.3 1

¡ 23 AUG 1968

FC+ |42

Dear Sir,

I am writing about my brother, Eric Gordon, and his family, who are being detained in China.

In July I wrote to The Foreign office, (and received a reply from Mr. M. Foley) to ask whether a message could be given to my brother, when someone from the British Mission in Peking, is allowed to see him, The message was that: "Mother and all other relations are in good health, also Marie's relatives are in good health; and that we hope that they are in good health. Regards from all relatives and friends."

Eric will be anxious about mother and how she is taking all this,- as she is a worrier and afraid that she has made herself ill worrying about him. Fric must be under enough strain without having to worry about mother as well. As it happens mother is in good health. We have all kept telling her that Eric and his family would not be harmed by the Chinese; (and this has helped her) although we could not be sure, but Mr. Grey seemed to be alright, as far as we could tell.

Mr. Foley replied, saying "we have asked the British Charge d'Affairs in Peking to transmit your message to your brother and his family, if he is allowed to visit them. I would suggest, however, that you yourself write a letter, and send it to Far Eastern Dept. in the Foreign Office. We would then forward it to Peking, and the British Charge d'Affairs would try to have it delivered to your brother at such time as any information became available about his whereabouts."

I have enclosed a brief, open letter, written by mother, just saying that she hopes that they are in good health, and that she, and the rest of us are fine. And that Marie's relatives are all well.And that she hopes to see them soon.

If mother'a letter could be sent on to Peking for the British Charge d'Affairs to have delivered to Eric,-or read to him,-if and when someone from the British Mission in Peking is allowed by the Chinese to see him, we would all be very grateful.

Ре

Thank-you very much indeed.

Yours sincerely,

A Gordon. MISS)•

A. Gordon. (Miss).

יח

CONFIDENTIAL

FOREIGN OFFICE, S.W.1.

Din D16

248 HB

114

19 August, 1968.

We have received the enclosed open note to Eric Gordon and his family from his sister acting on behalf of his elderly parents, We have agreed that we will ask you to pass the letter to the Chinese authorities with a request that it be delivered to his but have warned Miss Gordon that we can neituer guarentee delivery nor a straight answer from the Chinese as to whether or not the letter will in fact be delivered. We have of course said that you continue to make regular representations to the Chinese on Mr. Gordon's behalf. You will no doubt let us know as soon as you have anything to report.

R. R. Garside, Esq.,

PEKINO.

(E. J. Sharland) Far Eastern Department

CONFIDENTIAL

Ed (1626)

Reference...

M. Boyd. FE·D

Сие брове

·RECEIVED IN..

ARCHIVES No 31

16 AUG 1968 1

Fe1/42

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MMA

23 Gledhow Gardens

London, S.W.5

12 August 1968

во

Dear Frank,

I do apologise for bothering you with the enclosed, but should be so grateful if you could spone a moment for them.

They are copies of letters sent to the Pre- sident of a society for the blind who is also an old friend of my family's.

She thinks I am still in the Office. In a covering letter to me she writes:-

"I feel sure that all possible enquiries

have already been made by the Foreign Office and have proved fruitless. But I thought there might be just a chance that you would be in the way of knowing whether anything further could still be done - or any sort of hope held out to Mrs.Gordon.

I should be so grate- ful if you could give any advice, even if it has to be of a negative kind".

Since the writer of these lines is an ex- tra nice person I should like to be able to say something to her, not necessarily for repetition to hrs.Gordon. of this case? guidance you can offer.

Do you by any chance know I should be very glad of any

May I have the enclosures back some time?

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31

1 6 AUG 1968

F4/142

Tamo

opologetically

Robin Oliver

F2 1/42.

12 August, 1968.

RECEIVED IN

ARCHIVES N. 31

1 4 AUG 1968

Fa1142

Thank you for your letter of 4 August to Coronwy Hoberts, about Mr. Eric Gordon.

I am afraid that there is little we can add to the facts as set out in your letter. Kr. Gordon worked in the Foreign LarguagOB Fress in i øking, and lived in the Friendship Hostel, a hostel for foreigners, most of whom are employed by the Chinese Government. Neither he nor his family were ever in touch with our Nission in leking, and it was in consequence particularly difficult for us to find out anything about them when we received information that they had disappeared. Moreover, the Mission, as you will bə ɛware, has been working under considerable difficulties. we have, however, done all that we could to obtain information about the Gordons. The Chargé d'Affaires has ande formal approaches to the Chinese authorities in reking regularly since 3 February, and the Mission have telephoned

Sir Barnett Jamar, M.P.,

The Board of Deputies of British Jews,

Woburn House,

Upper Woburn Place,

London, .C.1.

/ the

enter & pa

мара

13/8

the Ministry of Foreign Affairs weekly in efforts to find whether the Gordons are in fact under detention. Bill Rodgers, when he was Parliamentary Under-Secretary, also pressed for information from the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires ad interim in London. Unfortunately, the Chinese have so far not responded to any of these approaches.

The only information of any sort we have is a report from a foreign resident of the Friendship Hostel, who told a momber of our Mission that Kr. Fric Gordon and his family reappeared there some weeks ago for about a day, apparently under no form of restriction. We have done our best to

obtain corroboration of this report, but in the present atmosphere in Peking, contacts of this sort are difficult to follow up.

I am corry that we have not more to tell you, but I am sure you understand the problems which we face.

( CHALFONT )

Registry No.

FC 1/42 ·

DRAFT Letter

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

To:

Top Secret,

Secret.

Confidential.

Restricted. Unclassified.

PRIVACY MARKING

Ja Confiden

Sir Barnett Janner, H.P. The Board of Deputies of British Jewe,

Woburn House,

Upper Woburn Place, W,C.1

Thank

Type 1 +

From

Lord Chalfont.

Telephone No. & Ext.

Туроб Aurel Laugh

you for

Department

[I am reptring to your letter fear/eg] of

4th August to Goronwy Roberts, about Mr.

Eric Gordon.

I am

afraid that

There is little we can add to the facts

as set out in your letter. Mr. [Brig Gordon

worked in the Foreign Languages Press in

Peking, and lived in the Friendship Hoetel,

a hostel for foreigners, most of whom are

employed by the Chinese Government.

Feither

he nor his family were ever in touch with our

Mission in Peking, and it was in consequence

particularly difficult for us to find out

anything about them when we received informa-

tion that they had disappeared. Moreover,

the Mission, as you will be aware, has been

working under considerable difficulties.

have, however, done all that we could to

obtain information about the Gordone. The

Chargé d'Affaires has made formal approaches

to the Chinese authorities in Peking regularly

since 3rd February, and the Mission have

telephoned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

weekly in efforts to find whether the Gordons

are in fact under detention.

Bill Rodgers,

../ when he was

WEBL S1-743

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

when he was Parliamentary Under-Secretary, also

pressed for information from the Chinese

Chargé d'Affaires ad interim in London.

Unfortunately, the Chinese have so far not

responded to any of these approaches.

The only information of any sort we have

is a report from a foreign resident of the

Friendship Hostel, who told a member of our

Mission that Mr. Eric Gordon and his family

reappeared there some weeks ago for about a

day, apparently under no form of restriction.

We have done our best to obtain corroboration

of this report, but in the present atmosphere

in Peking, contacts of this sort are difficult

to follow up.

I am sorry that we have not more to tell

you, but I am sure you understand the problems

which we face.

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

Mr. M.L. Tait

MR. ERIC GORDON AND HIS FAMILY

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31

1 4 AUG 1968

F42

Fello

I attach a draft reply to a letter from Sir Barnett Janner, M.P., to Mr. Roberta, about FLAG A57 Mr. Eric Gordon and his family whom we believe

to be detained in China.

2. The draft follows closely the terms of

FLAGS B4 letters sent by Mr. Foley to Mrs. Margaret Thatcher,

M.P., and Hr. Ben Whitaker, M.P.

& C

FLAGS & E

3. The background of the case is covered in my submissions of 1 May and 28 May. no developments since then.

There have been

Janne Umary

(James Murray)

12 August, 1968

P.a. Seef59

Telephone: 01-387 3952

Telegrams: Deputies, London, W.C.1

THE LONDON COMMITTEE OF DEPUTIES OF THE BRITISH JEWS

generally known as

THE BOARD OF DEPUTIES OF BRITISH JEWS

President:

Alderman MICHAEL M. FIDLER, J.P.

Vice-Presidents:

SIR SAMUEL FISHER, J.P. VICTOR MISHCON, DL.

Treasurer:

HARRY LANDY, J.P.

Secretary:

ABRAHAM J. MARKS

seen. CONSULAR..... Dept.

1/nas not

for advice and draft reply

WOBURN HOUSE.

UPPER WOBURN PLACE,

LONDON, W.C.1.

from fees,

Lord Chalfont.

The Riakon

used so-The-Scerty.

4th August, 1968 car/eg

}

Goronwy Roberts,

.P.,

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs,

The Foreign Office,

Jowning Street,

Londen, S.1.1.

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES Ne.31

- 7 AUG 1968

Fa/42

The Board has been approached by the relatives of a family missing either in China, or en route from China, I understand that the relatives have been in touch themselves with the Foreign Office and with the Chinese Embassy here, but in view of the seriousness of the matter I felt I should approach you on it,

The following are the details we have been given:- Hames of persons missing:

Nationality:

Residence in China:

Employment there:

Address there:

Last communication received:

Mr. Eric Gordon, his wife Marie, and their son Kim (aged 12)

British

Since February 1965

With the Foreign Language Press, English Section Friendship Hotel, Peking

Dated 23th November 1967, in which Mr. Eric Gordon wrote that they were due to leave Peking on or about 5th November 1967, in order to travel back to England by Cargo Boat via Hong Kong. He stated that he would be writing again from Hong Kong, but no further letter or information has been received since the above letter.

..../2

-2-

tive who approached

the Board:

Miss A. Gordon,

22 Westbourne Gardens, Hove, Sussex,

I need not tell you how distressed the relatives here are about the matter, and should be most grateful for any information you are able to obtain.

Sir Barnett Janner, H.P. Chairman, Foreign Affairs Committee

Fe 1/42

From The Parlamentary Under-Secretary of State

Foreign Office

London SW1

29 July, 1968.

Dean Nagant Thatcher

Fred Mulley has asked me to reply to your letter of 17 July about Mr. Eric Gordon, whom we believe may be in detention in China. I am returning the correspondence you enclosed. We have retained copies for our files.

I am afraid that there is little information that we can give you about the Gordons We are in constant touch with Mr Gordon's brother, Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, and my colleagues in the Foreign Office have written to his mother and father, and to other members of his family who are already aware of all the information in this letter.

The facts are as Mr. Jeffrey Gordon describes them. Mr. Eric Gordon worked in the Foreign Languages Press in Peking, and lived in the Friendship Hostel, a hostel for foreigners most of whom are employed by the Chinese Government. Neither he nor his family were ever in touch with our Mission in Peking and it was consequently diffi- cult for us to find out anything about them when we received information that they had disappeared. Moreover, the Mission as you will be aware, is now working under considerable difficulties. We have, however, done all that we could to obtain information about the Gordons. The Charge d'Affaires has made formal approaches to the Chinese authorities in Peking regularly since 3 February, and the Mission have telephoned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs weekly in efforts to find whether the Gordons are in fact under detention. Bill Rodgers, when he was Parliamentary Under-Secretary, also pressed for information from the Chinese Charge d'Affaires ad interim in London. Unfortunately, the Chinese have so far not responded to any of these approaches.

Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, M.P.,

House of Commons.

/obtain

1.9/8

p.a.

мета 18

enter d

-2-

obtain corroboration of this report, but in the present atmosphere in Peking contacts of this sort are difficult to follow up.

I am sorry that we have not more to tell you but I am sure you understand the problems which we face.

Youn

مکارح

Vand they

Maurice Foley

F=1/42

From The Parlamentary Under-Secretary of State

Noted in

Private Office

Foreign Office London S.W.1

29 July, 1968.

Dear Ben.

Thank you for your communication of 22 July about Mr. Eric Gordon, whom we believe may be in detention in China. I am returning the correspondence you enclosed and have retained copies for our files.

I am afraid that there is little information that we can give you about the Gordons. We are in constant touch with Mr. Gordon's brother, Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, and my colleagues in the Foreign Office have written to his mother and father, and to other members of his family who are already aware of all the information in this letter.

The facts are as Mr. Jeffrey Gordon describes them. Mr. Eric Gordon worked in the Foreign Languages Press in Peking, and lived in the Friendship Hostel, a hostel for foreigners most of whom are employed by the Chinese Government. Neither he nor his family were ever in touch with our Mission in Peking and it was consequently difficult for us to find out anything about them when we received information they had disappeared. Moreover, the Mission, as you will be aware, is now working under considerable difficulties. We have, however, done all that we could to obtain information about the Gordons. The Charge d'Affaires has made formal approaches to the Chinese authorities in Peking regularly since 3 February, and the mission have telephoned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs weekly in efforts to find whether the Gordons are in fact under detention. Bill Rodgers, when he was Parliamentary Under-Secretary, also pressed for information from the Chinese Charge d'Affaires ad interim in London. Unfortunately, the Chinese have so far not responded to any of these approaches.

The only information of any sort we have is a report from a foreign resident of the Friendship Hostel, who told a member of our Mission that Mr. Eric Gordon and his family reappeared there some weeks ago for about a day, apparently under no form of restriction. We are doing our best to obtain corroboration or this report, but in the present atmosphere in reking contacts of this sort are difficult to follow up.

Ben Whitaker, Esq., M.P.,

House of Commons.

[

enter & pa.

-2-

I am sorry that we have not more to tell you but I am sure you understand the problems which we face.

改

Maurice Foley

WIDAL SERVI

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

Registry Felfer 2

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Top Secret, Secret. Confidential.

Restricted. Unclassified.

PRIVACY MARKING

DRAFT Letter

To:

(1) Mrs. Margaret

Thatcher, K.P.. House of Commons.

(11) Ben Whitake‡ Esq.,

M.P..

House of Cómmona.

Type 1 +

From Mr. Foley.

Telephone No. & Brt,

Department

FLAG A

FLAG B

(1) Fred lulley has asked me to reply to your

letter of 17th July about Mr. Eric Gordon whom

we believe/may be in detention in China. I

am returning the correspondence you enclosed.

We have retained copies for our files.

(11) Thank you for your communication of 22nd

July about Mr. Eric Gordon whom we believe may

be in Retention in China. I am returning the

correspondence you enclosed and have retained

copies for our files.

(i) and (11)

I am afraid that there is little informa-

tich that we can give you about the Gordons.

We are in constant touch with Mr. Gordon's

brother, Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, and my colleagues

in the Foreign Office have written to his mother

and father, and to other members of his family

who are already aware of all the information

in this letter.

The facte are as Mr. Jeffrey Gordon des-

oribes them. Mr. Eric Gordon worked in the

Foreign Languages Press in Feking, and lived in

the Friendship Hostel, a hostel for foreigners

most of whom are employed by the Chinese Govern-

ment. Neither he nor his family were ever in

touch with our Mission in Peking and it was

../.

consequently difficult for us to find out

anything about them when we received informa-

tion they had disappeared. Moreover, the

Mission, as you will be aware, is now working

under considerable difficulties. We have,

however, done all that we could to obtain

information about the Gordons. The Chargé

d'Affaires has made formal approaches to the

Chinese authorities in Peking regularly since

3rd February, and the Mission have telephoned

the Ministry of Foreign Affairs weekly in

efforts to find whether the Gordogs are in fact

under detention. Bill Rodgers, when he was Parliamentary Under Secretary,/elso pressed

for information from the Chinese Chargé d'AT-

faires ad interim in London. Unfortunately

the Chinese have so far not responded to any

of these approaches.

The only information of any sort we have le a report from a foreign feeident of the Friend ship Hostel, who told a member of our kission that Mr. Eric Gordon and his family reappeared dr

there some weeks ago for about a day, appa-

rently under no form of restrierion.

We are

doing our best to obtain corroboration of this

report, but in the present atmosphere in Pakkng

contacts of this sortere difficult to follow

up.

sort!

I am sorry that we have not more to tell you

but I am sure you understand the problema

which we face.

Wi) 29/1

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

F2/42.

Noted in

Priate Office

Foreign Office

London SW.1

From The Parlamentary Under-Secretary of State

31 July, 1968

Thank you for your letter of 18 July about your brother, ir. Eric Gordon, and his family in Peking. I am afraid that we have still received no more news about them. are however in touch with your brother, Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, and shall let him know as soon as we hear anything new.

We have asked the British Chargé d'Affaires in Peking to transmit your message to your brother and his family if he is allowed to visit them. I would suggest however that you yourself write a letter and send it to Far Eastern Department in the Foreign Office, Downing Street, London S.W.1. We would then forward it to Peking and Sir D. Hopson would try to have it delivered to your brother at such time as any information became available about his whereabouts.

I am glad that your mother is in good health despite the dreadful worry of the past few months. Please assure her that we are doing everything we can to help.

Miss A. Gordon,

Maurice Foley

22 Westbourne Gardens,

Hove,

Sussex

NB35PP.

enter vpa.

WOL 31-7433

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

Registry No.

FC 1/42

DRAFT Letter

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

To:

Top Secret. Secret

Miss A. Gordon,

22 Westbourne Gardens, Hove, Sussex, NB35FP.

Type 1 +

From

Mr. Foley

Telephone No. & Btt.

Confidential.

Restricted. Unclassified.

PRIVACY MARKING

In Confidenc

Department

FLAG C

Thank you for your letter of 18th Iplý

about your brother, Mr. Eric Gordon, and his

family in Peking. I am afraid that we have

still received no more news about them

are however in touch with your brother, Kr.

Jeffrey Gordon, and shall let him know as soon

as we hear anything new.

We have asked the British Chargé d'Affaires

in Peking to transmit your message to your bro-

ther and his family if he is allowed to visit

them

I would suggest however that you your-

self write a letter and send it to Far Eastern

Department in the Foreign Office, Downing Street

London S.W.1. We would then forward it to

Peking and Sir D.

Hopson would try to have it

delivered to your

brother at such time as any

information became available about his where-

abouts.

I am glad that your mother is in good

health despite the dreadful worry of the paat

few months. Please assure her that we are

doing everything we can to help,

(4) 27/1

29.7.

Miss L. Desé

MR. ERIC GORDON AND HIS FAMILY

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES N. 31

- 1 AUG 1968

Fe1142

FLAGS A

& B

FLAG C

FLAG D

FLAG E

FLAG F

I attach draft replies to letters from Mra.

Margaret Thatcher, K.P., and Mr. Ben Whitaker,

E.P., about Mr. Eric Gordon and his family, whom

we believe to be detained in China; and a draft

reply to a letter from Mr. Gordon's sister, Miss

A. Gordon. A telegram has been sent to Peking

asking Sir D. Hopson to transmit Miss Gordon's

message to her brother in the unlikely event of

his securing Consular access.

2. The draft to the two kembers of Parliament's

letters follow closely the terms of the letter sent

by Mr. Foley to Kr. David Watkins, M.P. The back-

ground of the case is covered in my submissions of

1 Kay and 28 Kay. There have been no developments

since then.

Jums

Humay

(James Murray)

29 July, 1968.

pia

Free FE)

Consula Depot for deft Reply by Mrr Foley

Mr. Sharland.

192/7

22, Westbourne Gdns.

Hove,

Sussex, MB3, 5PRECEIVED IN

¡ARCHIVES N. 31

Dear Sir,

Thank-you for the last

18th July, 1968.

- 1 AUG 1968

FCI 42

letter, and for your efforts,

and the efforts of the Foreign office, on behalf of my brother, Eric Gordon and his family in Peking.

I suppose you have not yet received any news of them. ?

When someone from the British Mission in Peking, is allowed, by the Chinese, to see my Brother and his family, do you think that a short message could be given to them,? If they could please tell Eric and Marie that their Mothers,

(and also their other relatives), are keeping well, we would be very grateful. (AND ALSO IF POSSIBLE END LOVE FROM

"MOTHERS & ALL RELATIVES,← REGARDS FROM FRIENDS Eric, particularly, will be anxious about mother, and how she is taking this, as`she is elderly, and a worrier, and Eric might be afraid that she is making herself ill worrying about him. As it happens, mother has managed to keep well, and

- -

HAVE

CONTINUA KLY

FROM THEIR

MOTHER THAT SBC

is in good health.~(~ +FAMILY WOULD NOT BE HARMED BY THE CHINESE. OF

INESE

COURSE, WE COULD NOT BE SURE; ALTHOUGH, FIR. GREY SEEMG) TO RE

Fric and Marie must be under enough strain without

ALRIGHT

having to worry about their mothers as well.

We would all be very grateful if this message could

possibly, please, be given to them.

Thank-you very much indeed.

Yours sincerely,

Gordon (MISS.) ·

A. Gordon. (Miss).

اسلام

HOUSE

COMMON

EE.D.10

enter

HOUSE OF COMMONS

LONDON, S.W.1

22nd July,1968

Consula

Me to

Polyp

02317

I shall be grateful if you will give the

enclosed communication from...Jeffrey Gordon

71, ertford Road, 1,2, your attention

and send me a reply which I can forward to

my constituent.

RECEIVE

ARCH

24 JUL 1000

Please acknowledge.

Ben Whitaker il Ben Whitaker

аю

At,How, Michdel Stewart, E.F.,

Foreign Secretary

RECEIVED IN

**CHIVES N. 31

-1 AUG 1968

Fe 1/42

H.C.918 (305227) 1 SM St.S.

TuDer 8697

Dear Mr. Whittaker,

FIVED IN

MUM.VES N.HERTFORD ROAD -1 AUG 1968 EAST FINCHLEY

FEI LONDON, N. 2.

پتا

16.7.68.

andwicent by

write t

the whereas

tracing ERIC

Mr.

John

Mendelson

yesterday

the

quistion of

Chinc

brother ERIC GARDEN

mya

on KIM(aged (2) in Je towary

ROAD N.W3.

his wife MARIE, and their

Before they left for Peking

1945, they

livet

WILLOW

and

constituents.

your

brother

the

Peking

Forang Panguages Perseny loved by

phonseologul polisher. In

words he

Marie Gordon,

Chine

publications.

sister-in-law, "The Chinese students

taught Renglish

college at the end

wrote that

they

Patria.

October, 1467

about to

set off for England. Since then,

આ

period of NINE MONTHS, nothing

been heard

from them. British Chargé d'Affaires

The

in Peking

rezescitation Ministry,

at the Chinese rege Munity but

repeatedly Rebuffed. Which

both families I have The Chinese Legation in

the

member of

bea to

London

the

The

responsal

engines

tol

theis

letters at

for occasions, but has been met following people

there have been no

again

negative.

Wave made

China but

replies to

all: PROFESSOR J. NEEDILAM

(CAMBRIDGE), PROFESSOR FITZGERALD (AUSTRALIA) EX- DEAN OF CANTERBURY'S WIFE, LAWRENCE DALY / SCOTTISH MINERS), I. BRADLEY (N.U.J.)

THE

A. E.U. SECRETARY OF

THEIR MEMBERS

PARLAMENT DISCUSSING POSSIBILITIES

APPROACH, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL,

LORD BERTRAND

RUSSELL WROTE TO

writté several times

CHOU EN LAI (NO REPLY). howe.

every possible authority in

whatsoever. For instans Ele

Chin, but

there thave licen

xaplico

have

monition to

Chaman Mar.

Chri

Chon ka Lai, Chinen Forage Minning, Foreign Languages Press Frindshop

Hostel (

1965

Strmy

ستار

Wik

thing live it from tod (Det., 1967), Ammer Louisa

and

would appreciate it

Mr.

way

Mr. Margaret Thatcher (M.P.

- to whom I

for my

writing,

could

disass

مديرية

possibilities of appoad to the

whinch

Gordon

authorities

གྱི་ཐུག

the approaches.

lead to the raining

being tracent

may China

Chin bain

Joffrey Gordon (JEFFREY GARDON)

F.E.D

240

*39

Written Answers

M JULY 1968 Governmen. stating in each case the denomination of the church.

Mr. Mulley: No Embasy Churches are maintained or partially maintained maintained by Her Majesty's Government.

CZECHOSLOVAKIA

Mr. Frool's a¬ked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the large scale movements of Soviet military forces in the neighbourhood of the Czechoslovakian herder: and if he will raise the matter in the Security Council of the United Nations as a threat to international peace.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts: We have seen official announcements by the Soviet Union on 23rd and 25th July of military and air defence exercises in We-tem Russia. The answer to the second part of the Question is No.

BRITISH SUBJECTS, CHINA (DETENTION)

Mr. Whitaker asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what informa- tion he has concerning Mr. Gordon, a British subject, and his family in China.

Mr. Foley: On 1st February Mr. Gordon's relatives in England informed us that the family had been due to leave China in early November but that no news of them had been received since then. On 3rd February the British Mission in Peking were instructed to ask the Chinese authorities for assistance in discovering the family's whereabouts; this request has since been repeated at frequent intervals but no reply has been received. As enquiries in Hong Kong and elsewhere have revealed no trace of the family, we are obliged to conclude that they have been detained in China. The British Chargé d'Affaires in Peking will continue his efforts to obtain informa- tion from the Chinese authorities.

VISA-FREE ENTRY (DISCUSSIONS)

Dr. Gray asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will initiate discussions with the Governments which distinguish for purposes of visa-free entry between United Kingdom issued in London and those issued else- passports

34 Z IJ

26.768

239 w

769

Written AntDUCER

where, with a view to securing the aboli- tion of such dispactions,

Mr. Foley: When negotiating visa abolition agreements with othe. Govern- ments. Her Majesty's Government aim at cbtaining visa-free entry for as many United Kingdom nationals as possible. It is, however, only to be expected that 01he- Governments will be reluctant to grant visa-tree entry to United Kingdom national who have no guarantee of ad- mission to the United Kingdom itself. The ability of Her Majesty' Government to secure the abolition of distinctions of the kind referred to is clearly restricted by the terms of the Commonwealth In- migrants Acts of 1962 and 1968.

PASSI ORT-OFFICE (REVIEW

OF PROCEDURE)

Mr. Judd asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will estab- lish a committee to review the exercise by the Passport Office of its discretion concerning the issue of passports in Lon- don to citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies.

Mr. Foley: In so far as applications to the Passport Office by active supporters of the illegal régime in Rhodesia are concerned, the matter is already covered by the arrangements outlined in the state- ment circulated on 27th June by my right bon. Friend the Sceretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs. Considera. tion is being given to the extension of the review procedure to the refusal of pass- ports to citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies unconnected with Rhodesia. The result of this consideration will be announced in due course.- [Vol. 767, c. 126-130.]

BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION (JIFBREW

SERVICE)

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the future of the British Broadcasting Corporation Hebrow Service.

Mr. Foley: A careful review has re- cently been made of the Hebrew Service in the light of the need to ensure that, in existing circumstances, the funds available for information work are spent

RECEIVED IN

¦ ARCHIVES No.31 30 JÚL 1968

Fa/42

لستا

DL154229 Op.863

FZ 1/42

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION

for WRITTEN answer on

F.E.D.

The draft reply should reach the Parliamentary Office through your Under-Secretary by

107

Mr. Ben Whitaker (Hampstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, what information he has concerning Mr. Gordon, a British subject, and his family

in China.

26th July, 1968

MR. MAURICE FOLEY

On the 1st of February Mr. Gordon's relatives

in England informed us that the family had been due to

leave China in early November but that no news of them

had been received since then. On the 3rd of February

the British Mission in Peking were instructed to ask the

Chinese authorities for assistance in discovering the

family's whereabouts; this request has since been

repeated at frequent intervals but no reply has been

received. As enquiries in Hong Kong and elsewhere have

revealed no trace of the family, we are obliged to conclude

that they have been detained in China. The British Chargé

d'Affairs in Peking will continue his efforts to obtain

information from the Chinese authorities.

Previous References

Flag A

Parliamentary Question by

29 May, 1968

Kr. Eldon Griffiths

Flag B

Adjournment Debate

13 June, 1968

Flag C

Foreign Affairs Debate

18 July, 1968

Mr. Wilkinson

Parliamentary Office

CONFIDENTIAL

CEIVED IN

Jö8

FZ1/Z

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION BY MR. BEN WHITAKER

26th JULY, 1968

We first learned that the Gordon family were in diffi-

culties from an enquiry made by Mr. Gordon's brother on

1 February. (The Gordone have at no time been in touch

with our Mission in Peking.) He informed us that the family

had been due to leave China in early November and that no

news had been received from them since October. As the

family were regular correspondents, their relatives in this

country were seriously concerned. We have received confir-

mation from Hong Kong that there is no record of the family

having passed through the Colony. On 3 February, our Mission

in Peking asked the Chinese authorities for assistance in

discovering the family's whereabouts. Further formal

requests for information have been made at 4 6 week inter-

vals. It is the Mission's practice also to make informal

enquiries by telephone weekly. No reply has been received

from the Chinese.

CONFIDENTIAL

../ 2 ..

CONFIDENTIAL

A French resident of the "Friendship Hostel" told our

Mission on 19 Hay that he had seen Mr. Gordon and his family

at the hostel "within the last few weeks" where they had

appeared for about one day only. They then appeared to be

under no form of restraint. Since then we have heard nothing •

3. We understand from Mr. Gordon's brother that he had made

extensive notes with a view to writing a book about China

after his return home. The xenophobia and "spy mania" current

in China as a result of the Cultural Revolution would make

the possession of such notes sufficient justification in

Chinese eyes for Mr. Gordon's detention. Another possible

reason why Mr. Gordon might be in difficulties is that he was

connected through his work with a Chinese leader now in

eclipse. The chances of finding out more about the case are

unfortunately alight.

4. I attach a draft reply and a list of previous Parlia-

mentary references.

employed by the

Даши гламу

(James Murray)

25 July, 1968.

Mi Anden was

Freign Languages Pren

Peking

Bhathensc

25/v11.

CONFIDENTIAL

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

Registry No.

DEPARTMENT

Fer/42

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION PRIORITY MARKINGS

To: Secret Saree Confidental

Emergency Immediate

Briority

Restricted Unchasified

Routing

* Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should

reach addressco(s)

(Date)

Despaloned

3717

1600

CYPHEN

Confidential.

Emretair

Lunic

Cypher

Draft Telegram to

No.

(Date)

'771°

And to:-

Security_classification

[Codeword-if any).

Addressed to

telegram No.

And to.....

26/7 repeated for information to ...

Sarping 10

Repeat to:-

(date).

-------2-

GORDON Gordon

Miss A. Gorbon, Enna Gordon's

Şiring 10:-

Sister has

written

The Parliamentar

Unico Sectekan asking that

message

1810/0

2.5

IF BY

be passed to her brother of my

any

Distributions

Filis

FED.

Copies to:-

羽って

chance you

Doram access to him.

soming that the mothers of

Enc and

Marie and men me

felatium ade

are keeping well and

Send their love and fliems send

regards

༡༠

[3]

Ed (3084)

Mr Derry

M. Murray

し

Reference.....

то най

Ent

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31

30 JUL 1968

Mr Eric Gorda Fe 1/42

I attach Grizeft draft replies to those letters conconing Mr. Eric Gordon. We have photocopies of the enclouses,

2. I attach also daft telegram, which does

not need to be submitted.

Mark A. Hall

25/7

Kieglum

sent

Вадстрани.

Jom Denmar

Denson

Private Secretary

RECFIVED IN

ARVIS No.31

29 JUL 1968

F21142

Flag A

Mr. Eric Gordon and Family

I attach a draft reply to Kr. David Watkins, M.P.

letter of 9 July which enquired about Mr. Eric Gordon and

his family, whom we believe to be detained in China.

The draft follows closely the terms of the letter

sent by Mr. Rodgers to the Rev. The Lord Soper.

The

background of the case is covered in my submission of

There have been no developments since

Flag G

Flags C

1 May and 28 May.

and D

then.

Munay.

(James Murray)

22 July, 1968.

مساجد

Entour

MAA

Fur/42

23 July, 1968

Thank you for your letter of 9 July about

Mr. Eric Gordon, whom we believe may be in

detention in china. I am returning the

correspondence you enclosed.

copies for our files.

We have retained

I am afraid that there is little information

that we can give you at present about the

Gordons. We are in constant touch with

Mr. Gordor's brother, Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, and

my colleagues in the Foreign Office have

written to his mother and father, and to other members of his family who are aware of all the

information in this letter.

The facts are as Mr. Jeffrey Gordon

describes them. Mr. Eric Gordon worked for

the Chime Government, in the Foreign Languages

/Press in

David Fatkins, Esq., M.P.

House of Commons.

Press in Peking, and lived in the Friendship

Hostel. This is a hotel for foreigners most

of whom are employed by the Chinese Government.

Neither he nor his family were ever in touch with our Mission in Peking and it was consequently extremely difficult for us to find out anything about them when we received information they had disappeared. Moreover, the fission, as you will

be aware, has to work under considerable diffi-

culties. We have, however, done what we can to

obtain some positive information about the Gordons. The Chargé d'Affaires has made formal approaches to the Chinese authorities 1. Peking regularly since 3 February and the Mission have telephoned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs weekly in efforts to find whether the Cordons are in fact under

detention. Bill Rodgers, when he was Parliamentar Under-Secretary, also pressed for information from the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires ad interim in

London. So far unfortunately the Chinese have responded to none of these approaches.

The only evidence which we have is a report from a foreign resident of the Friendship Hostel,

who has told a member of our Mission that

Mr. Eric Gordon

Mr. Eric Gordon and his family reappeared some weeks ago for about a day, apparently under no form of restriction. Fe are doing our best to find corroborative evidence for this report.

I am sorry that I can only give you such a tentative reply, but I am sure you understand the problems which we face.

(MICHAEL STEWART)

WEBDL $1-743

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

Registry No.

F41/42

Z DRAFT

Letter

Type 1 +

(4)

To:>

From

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Top Secret. SecreL Confidencial.

Restricted. Unclassified.

PRIVACY MARKING

Kr. David Watkins, M.P.,

House of Commons.

Secretary of State

Telephone No. & Bet,

Department

Cur

In Cadence

Jul

despatches

MAX

Thank you for your letter of 9 July about

Er. Eric Gordon, whom we believe may be in

detention in China. I am returning the

correspondence you enclosed.

copies for our files.

We have retained

I am afraid that there is little information

that we can give you at present about the

Gordong. We are in constant touch with

Mr. Gordon's brother, Er. Jeffrey Gordon, and

my colleagues in the Foreign Office have

written to his mother and father, and to other

members of his family who are aware of all the

information in this letter.

The facts are as Mr. Jeffrey Gordon

describes them. Mr. Eric Gordon worked for

the Chinese Government, in the Foreign Languages

Prees in Peking, and lived in the Friendship

Hostel. This is a hotel for foreigners most

of whom are employed by the Chinese Government.

Neither he nor his family were ever in touch

with our Mission in Peking and it was consequently

extremely difficult for us to find out anything

about them when we received information they

had disappeared.

Mill

Moreover, the Mission, as

you may be aware, has to work under considerable

Bifficulties.

We have, however, done what we

pan to obtain some positive information about

the

the Gordone. The Chargé d'Affaires has made

/formal

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

formal approaches to the Chinese authorities

in Peking regularly since 3 February and the

Mission have telephoned the Ministry of Foreign

Affaire weekly in efforts to find whether the

Gordons are in fact under detention. Bill

Rodgers, when he was Parliamentary Under-

Secretary, alao pressed for information from

the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires ad interim in

London. So far unfortunately the Chinese have

responded to none of these approaches.

The only evidence which we have is a report

from a foreign resident of the Friendship

Hostel, who has told a member of our Mission

that/Eric and Gordon and his family reappeared

some weeks ago for about a day, apparently

under no form of restriction. We are doing

our best to find corroborative evidence for

this report.

I am sorry that I can only give you such

tentative reply, but I am sure you understand

the problems which we face.

Rh 23

Taphous

نا

110. Pockham Roach, London, SE15

5th July, 1968

My Ref: HS/HE

Mr. H. Walker,

Secretary,

A.E.U. Group of E.P.s.,

House of Commons,

Westminster, London, 8.W.1.

Dear Harold,

RECEIVED IN .ARCHIVES No.31

29 JUL 1968

F21/42

Enclosed please find copies of self-explanatory correspondence, which has received the consideration of Executive Council, who have decided that the matter should be placed in your hands,

It is appreciated, of course, that this is a difficult and delicate problem and that the Foreign Office are already involved.

However, perhaps the matter can be discussed at the forthcoming meeting on Monday next.

Best wishes.

Yours sincerely

High Scantor

сал

HUGH SCANLON.

From the office of the President of the Amalgamated Union of Engineering & Foundry Workers. High Scanlon.

later cup".

My Ref: HS/HE

4th July, 1968

Kr. J. Gordon, 71 Hertford Road, East Finchley, London, N.2.

Dear Mr. Gordon,

Further to ny letter of the 31st May, 1968, I have to inform you that the matter of the detention of your brother, his wife and family lu China has now received the consideration of my Executive Council.

It has been decided that the best course to adopt with regard to this distressing problen is to place the matter in the hands of the Secretary of the A.E.U. Group of M.P.8 for his attention and possible action.

I do sincerely hope that the end result of your untiring efforts will bring about a speedy reunion with your brother and his family.

Yours sincerely,

HUGH SCANLON,

PRESIDENT

سر

EXT/DC

Kr. E. Fro:,

District Scoretary, XANCHESTER

4th July, 1968

Dear Sir and Broth

We would refer to your communication of the 24th May, 1968, acimo::ledged by us on the 24th idon, and would express our regret at the delay in giving consideration to this matter, This has been duc, however, to the attendance of Hlecutive Council at various conferences.

Executive Council have now decided to refer the apparent detention of Mr. E, Gordon and his family in China,

Secretary of the A.E.U. Group of H.P.3 for his attention and Fossible action.

Yours fraternally, p.p. J. CONWAY

UKIERAL SECRETARY,

TUD. 8697

YOUR REF: HS/HE.

Dear Mr. Scanlon,

letter

of May

your

state that

71 HERTFORD RD

RD.,

EAST FINCHLEY

LONDON, N2.

23.6.68.

You for your

31st. thank you

would be discussing the subject

brother, his wife and s

your Excecutive Co you

شد

Conta

has

China.

son's

fully appreciate the fact

of my

that

I with

you

are

wondering

Let

been

taken.

with thada umoin

much preoccgred

very alters,

whether

but

could

you

and the decision

know if the matter has

discussed

Dr. J. Needham, Chairman of

S.A.C.U., and Lord Bertrand Russell have made engines in

China, but

response.

for there has been

५.

ext

Qui

still making

مفت

enquiries,

date.

but without

The Foreign Office contine

press

the

itimisty for information

the

Foreign.

whereabouts in China.of..

the fordon family and

other

British nationals numbering

least twelve, but as

there has been no

عليه

عره

doing

yet

response?

you

appreciate all

to help..

Your sincerely,

Jaffrey Gordon

(JEFFREY GORDON)

[

سرية

31st May, 1963

lly Ref: HS/ME

Kr. J. Gordon, 71, Hertford Rond, Fest Finchley, London, 1.2.

Dear Mr. Gordon,

Thank you for your letter of the 28th instant, wherein you request ny assistance in tracing the whereabouts in China of your brother, his wife and

son,

Hy Executive Council have, however, clready received a "communiontion from our Inchester District Committee on this distressing zettor and will be discussing the subject at their next Executive Council mooting.

I trust tint this knowledge will help relieve sone of your natural anxiety, end feel that far pore can be achieved if the matter is pursued officially, rather then for ne to deal with it on an informal besis.

Ky best shes to you in your efforts.

Yours sincerely,

HUGH SCANTON,

Tudor 8697

Dear Mr. Scanlon,

71 HERTFORD ROAD

EAST FINCHLEY

LONDON, N.2.: 28.5. 1968:

the hope that the A. E.U!

ฐ

writing

amay

able to help, in some way,

whereabouts in

the

brother

and

ERIC their son

to Diranca

China of

GORDON, his wife MARIE,

KIM (aged 11). Since the end of October, 1967, when they wrote that they would be leaving Peking for England, nothing has been

head of

from them?

OVER SEVEN months.

brother is

Our

perod

member of

the N.Qu. J. and I have written

to the secretary, Mr. Bradley about

the whole matter.

the

Whilst it would

Chinese

seem that that westen organizations,

with contempt, they should have

مرد

respect for the trade union

comment

هه

hola.

brother and his wife Bean trade unionists.

would be most appreciates executive of the A.E.U. consider the

the possibility of Chinese Legation

very gut if the would

contac

the

Portland Plans, W...,

Chinese Foreign Ministry in Peking. Pressure of this kind

them to

this kind right compel

reveal the whereabouts

China of the Gordon family. the full

Own

enclos

details of the people involved.

P. S. 9

und

Yours sincerely,

Joffrey Gordon

(JEFFREY GORDON)

Mr.

Clive Jenkeis

also writing to sito. Clive

дет

fir. Eric Gordon

DETAIL: OF THE TROPLE INVORVED

Born in Ka hester, England. A British subject.

Aged 36/37 years;

European;

Jewish.

-k-reporter. Has worked on papers in Southond and Nottingham, on th Brentford and Chiswick Gimes, the Reynolds News, the Daly Herald and in the Exchange Telegraph News Agency.

Intere ›d and sympathetic to the social experiments taking place in China

Native Language: English.

English. Learned a little Chinese whilst in Pekin.

Mrs. Marie Gorda, Born in England. A British subject of a Ghanese father and an English mother. Is coloured with curly black hair, dark complexion, etc. Aged 32/33 years.

Has worked in clerical and secretarial capacity nainly. After this a housewife then student. Accepted to study for a degree at London School of Economics upon her return.

Native Language: English. Could speak a little French. Learned uone Chinese whilst in Pekin.

Interested in social experiment occurring in China, as was her husband.:

Kin Gordon - son of the above.

Born in London, England. A British subject.

Lod 12 years.

Slightly tanned complexion, brown but fairly tightly curled hair.

Native Lanuage; English. Said to be proficient in Chinese sinco he had attended Chinese school whilst the family in China (2+ years).

بهمه

Details c. Visit to China, Projected Journey

Back to England, otc,

In 1954, Eric Gordon's job with the Daily Herald was terminated due to ral redundancy.

Ho and his wife had always been interested in developing countries and had considered living temporarily in Ghana, India, Czo slovamis, among other countries. novều to any of these countries, although they did visit Hungary

However, they had not and Poland.

in 1954, the Chinese Legation was interested. in obtaining the services of English-speaking people for work in Pekin. introduced to the then Chinese Chargé D'Affairs by one or both of They were the following people:-

Mr. Jack Shapiro,

100, Brim Hill,

Hampsteed Garden Suburb,

London, H.2.

HIGhate 1697

and

Mr. Derek Bryan,

85, Holden Road, London, N.2.

HILlside 9072

Insurance Agent.

Member of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding. (S.A.C.U.)

Lecturer in Chinese + Holborn College of Law

Languages & Commerce,

Membor (and ex-Secretary) of S.A.C.U.

The GordonSleft England for Fekin in February, 1965, where Eric Gordon was employed by the Foreign Languages Press, English Section, Room 307, Pai Wan Chuang, Pekin, 37, China, where he was improving the paraseology, etc. of material already translated from the Chinose. His wife was employed as a teacher of English to students of 16 years and over, and the son attended a Chinese school.

When first in China, Eric Gordon submitted some articles on China to the Sunday Telegraph, which published them. doing this at the request of his superias in the Foreign Languages

ho stopped

Fress.

The Cultural Revolution began in about August, 1966 and the wife stopped teaching and the child (together with all other schoolchildren) stopped attending school.

During the whole period of their stay, both adults wrote regularly to their respective parents, usually at fortnightly intervals. The only longer interval was once for 4 weeks a when they took a trip to the interior.

Eric Gordon's contract expired in February 1987, 32).MA.

family cotuinea a six monen extensioni

However

Fekin for Hong Kong on 31st October. However, friends in China have confirmed that they left Fokin on 5th November intending to to Hor Kong via Shanghai and Cunton. Since this time (weeks) no nov has been received from them.

Recently, the Foreign office told certain reportors the kils which have appeared in the press togethor with information about two naval officers. The Foreign Office have been making what

e quiries they can without any success so far.

Before any of this information is made public, the following parties must be consulted:

Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, (brother to Bric)

71, Hertford Rd.,

East Finchely, N.2.

TUDor 8697

Mr. George Fottle (brother-in-law)

81, Bedster Gardens,

Hearst Park,

West Mcasey, Surrey. 679-8867

HS/LF/KS

EF/DE

29th May, 1968.

Mr. E. FrOW,

District Secretary,

MANCHESTER,

Dear Sir and Brother,

We acknowledgo receipt of your letter of 24th May rolative to Mr. Eric Gordon and his family, whom you stato are apparently dotaimed in China.*

This will receive the attention of the Executive Council and a further letter will be sent to you as soon as we have any information

Yours fraternally, P.p. J. CONWAY, Generel Secretary.

کمہ

DEF

Amalgamated Union of Engineering & Foundry Workers

Our rat

EF/DE

Manchester District Secretary

& Frow

to whom all communications should be addressed

120 Rusholme Rost Chorlton-on-Medlock Manchester13

Telephone Ardwick 4385/6 Please confine sech latter to one subject

District Seal+

Your f

Mr. J. Conway,

General Secretary.

24th May, 1968.

Dear Sir and Brother,

A question has been raised on our District Committee relative to the whereabouts of Mr. Eric Gordon and his family, who are apparently detained in China.

In view of the fact that Mr. Gordon was active in the Trade Union and Labour movement in Manchester, the Chairman accepted a resolution to request Executive Council to raise this matter with the A.E.U. Members of Parliament.

In view of the fact that our M.P.8 no doubt havé some details of this problem, it may not be necessary for me to supply you with a great deal of detail, but we would appreciate this matter being raised with our M.P...

Yours fraternally,

ester

District Secretary

AMALGAMATED UNION OF ENGINEPRING & FOUNDAY WORKERS

HOUSE

From : Mrs.Margaret Thatcher, M.P.

Ackd

COMMONS

18/7

Hot. Tilley

17th July 1968.

Not som

Sen by M. Mullay

Consular Dept. for

draft reply from M.

Foley.

DOM 18/U11

I enclose a letter I have received from my constituent, Mr.Jeffrey Gordon, regarding his brother, Eric Gordon who, with his wife and twelve year old son, are still in China and appear to have been missing for nine months.

I would be grateful if you could let me know whether there is any way in which your Department can help to trace this family.

Чело

مسد

Эйсе

Taran. Thalita

Пачал

The Rt.Hon. Frd Mulley, M.P.

Foreign Office.

S.W.1.

سود

hole

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31

22 JUL 1968

HERTFORD RD,

RECEIVED IN

Tudor 869

ARCHIVES No.31 EAST FINCHLEY

- 1 AUG 1968

LONDON, N.2

FL1/42

16.7.68

writing to

Dear Ms. Thatelle,

you

the hope that in some way

you may

where a tonis im

ERIC

theis

they

able to trace the

China of my

brother

GORDON, his wife MARIE, and

KIM (aged 12).

were about

At the end of October, 1967, wrote that they set off for England from Peking. Since then

period of NINE months, nothing has been

from them.

heard of

when the British Chargé d'affaire in Peking make representations at the Chinese Foreign Ministry he is repeatedly reluffed. Since January,

have been to the

beam to the Chinese

TIME

Legation in London," that the

response

negative.

has been completely

brother worked for the

My Languages Press in Peking

a diting publications, and my sister in four taught English at

college in

Peking quite naturally I have written

great member of people all sorts of organisations in

and

Britani

صه

well

There have been

: to

ง

every

abroad.

replies at all

in Peking, is

conceivable authority written to

Charman Mao, Chou en Lain, the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the Foreign Languages Press, the

Friendshyi Hostel where they lived from Feb., 1965 to Cart.

before they

1967,

were due to set off

homes the following

The following people

had

have

repies to their letters:

LORD BERTRAND RUSSELL To CHOU ENLAI, DR. J. NEEDHAM (CHAIRMAN OF S.A.C.U).

THE OPPOSITE NUMBER OF THAT ORGANISATION IN PEKING, PROFESSOR FITZGERALD (AUSTRALIA) TO PEKING, LAWRENCE DALY (SCOTTISH MINERS)

THE

EX- DEAN

CHINESE

CHINESE LEGATION In London OF CANTERBURY'S WIFE то

LEGATION, J

J. BRADLEY (N. U.J) saw Mr. John

in the House of

and he

advised me

Mandelson

to write to

Commons yesterday,

and Mr. Ben Whittaker, my

yooother and

sister-in-law's M. P.

and

the

grested that

you,

M.P. Mr. Whittaker

could

discuss the whole

matter

and plan possible actions

to help trace the Gordons in China.

Your very sincerely, Jeffrey Gordon (JEFFREY GORDON)

Cornea dept for dust Reply by Sof S

F.E.

Amalgamated Engineering Union

PARLIAMENTARY GROUP

Chairman :

FRED LEE, M.P.

David Watkins,

Hon. Secretary:

CHABLES DANNELI, M.P.

Rt. Hon. Michael Stewart, M.P.,

July 9th, 1968.

Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,

Foreign Office,

Downing Street,

S.W.1.

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31

15 JUL 1968

Fel/42

Your Michael,

The Executive Council of the AMALGAMATED UNION OF ENGINEERING AND FOUNDRY WORKERS (sorry, I haven't got the new letter headings yet) have asked their parliamentary Group to make enquiries of the Foreign Office on behalf of Mr. Eric Gordon.

Apparently he, his wife and his son have

been detained in China.

I understand that you are fully acquainted with the details of this case, and I would be grateful for any information you could let me have about it.

Yours sincerely, David.

David Wetkins.

All communications should be sent to the Honorary Secretary at the House of Commons, London, S.W.1

Methodist Church

Kingsway Hall London WC: Telephone 01-405 3246

Superintendent Minister

Then The Lord Soper MA PhD West London Mission

RECEIVED

ARCHIVES No.3

20 JUN 1968

Ful42

Circuit Stewarda

Mr Malcolm Spencer FPS

Prof Arthur Smalles

MA Dut

18 June 1968

Kingsway Creche

St Luke's House

St Mary's House

Grove House

Alfred Hartley House

Emerson Bainbridge House

Goodliffe House

Fellowship House

Katherine Price Hughes Hostel Hopedene

WLM Clothing Store

Nr. William Rodgers, M.P.,

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State,

Foreign Office,

London, S.W.1.

Rect. 19/6

7.ED.

Dear Mr. Rodgers,

Thank you so much for your letter of the 14 June, regarding the Gordon family, who may be under detention in China.

I am most grateful to you for taking the trouble to reply at such length, and I trust that all your efforts to establish some information about this family may prove successful.

With kind regards.

Yours sincerely,

Soper

M. Skolad M Murray

Au 21 Jun

enter

20%

FE/142.

Foreign Office London S.W.I

From The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

14 June, 1968.

Du Mex Mr Garden.

Пе

I am writing to thank you for your letter 27 May to the Prime Minister about your son Eric.

I am afraid that there is very little that I can add to my letter of 5 June. We are still pressing for confirmation of the report I mentioned and shall naturally contact you as soon as we hear any more news. We are also of course still in close touch with you son Jeffrey.

Sicesh

Lion Rodger

کچھ

William Rodgers

Mr. and Mrs. S. Gordon,

22 Westbourne Gardens,

HOVE,

SUSSEX. BR 3.5PP

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

Registry

No.

FC1/42

DRAFT

Letter

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Top Secret.

Secret

Confidential

Restricted

Unclassifed.

PRIVACY MARKING

In Confidence

Mr. & Mrs. S. Gordon 22 Westbourne Gardens,

Hove,

Sussex. EN 3.5PP

Type 1+

From

Mr. Rodgers

Telephone No. & Ext.

Department

Flag

I am replying

for letter of 27 May

to the Prime Minister about your son Eric.

I am afraid that there is very little that

can add to my letter of 5 June. We are still

pressing for confirmation of the report I

mentioned and shall naturally contact you as

soon as we hear any more news. We are also

of course still in close touch with your son

Jeffrey.

Mus" vi

F21/42:

From The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

Foreign Office

London SW1

14 June, 1968.

י - י ד ני -

Thank you for your letter of 29 Hay about the Gortion family, who we believe may be under detention in China. You enclosed a letter from Mr. Gordon's sister,

Miss Antta Gordon, which I am returning withthis letter. We have kept a copy for our files.

I am afraid that there is little that you can do to help the Gordons at present. We are in constant touch with Mr. Gordon's brother, Mr. Jefirey Gordon, and I have myself written to his mother and father án other members of his family. The facts are more or less as Miss Gordon describes them. Mr. Gordon: worked for the Chinese Government in the Foreign Languages Press in Peking and lived in the Friendship Hostel. This is a hotel for foreigners who are sympathetic to the Chinese Government. Reither he nor nis family were in touch with our Mission in Peking and it is consequently extremely difficult for us to find cut anything about them. Moreover the Mission, as you will be aware, work under considerable difficulties in any case.

We have been doing all we can to outain some positive information about the Goutions. Wo made formal approaches to the Chinese authorities in Peking on 3 February, 12 March, 25 March and on 4 May in an effort to find out whether the Gordons are in fact under

detention. I have also hade requests for information to the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires a interim most recently on 24 May. The Chinese have so lur responded to none of these approaches.

The only evidence of any sort which we have is a- report from a foreign resident of the Friendship Hostel, who recently told & member of our Mission that Eric Gordon

The Reverend The Lord Soper, M.A., Pil.D.,

Superintendent Minister,

West London Lission

Methodist Church.

Kingsway Hall, V.j.2.

/and his

and his family reappeared some weeks ago for about a day, apparently under no form of restriction. This .. report is so far unconfirmed; but we are doing our best to find corroborative evidence.

I am sorry that I can only give you such a tentative reply. But I know you understand the problems involved.

William Rodgers

ו'

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

Registry No.

DRAFT FC 1/42

Letter

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

To:-

Top Secret.

Secrct.

Confidential

Restricted. Unclassified.

PRIVACY MARKING

"Is Confdance

The Rev. The Lord Soper,

West London Mission, Kingsway Hall, London, W.0.2.

Superintendent Minister,

Type I +

From

Mr. Rodgers

Telephone No. & Ext.

Department

Thank you for your letter of 29 May about

the Gordon family, who we believe may be under

detention in China You enclose a letter from

Mr. Gordon's sister, Miss Anita Gordon which I

am returning with this letter. We have kept

a copy for our filea.

I am afraid that there is little that you

can do to help the Gordons at present. We are

in constant touch with Mr. Gordon's brother,

Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, and I have myself written

to his mother and father and other members of

his family. The facts are more or less as

Miss Gordon describes them. Mr. Gordon

worked for the Chinese Government in the

Foreing Languages Press in Peking and lived in

the Friendship Hostel. This is a hotel for

foreigners who are sympathetic to the Chinese

Government. Neither he nor his family were

in touch with our Mission in Peking and it is

consequently extremely difficult for us to

find out anything about them, Moreover the

Mission, as you will be aware, work under

considerable difficulties in any case,

We have been doing all we can to obtain

some positive information about the Gordons.

We made formal approaches to the Chinese

authorities in Peking on 3 February, 12 March,

25 March and on 4 Hay in an effort to find

out whether the Gordons are in fact under

/detention

detention. I have also made requests for

information to the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires

ad interim most recently on 24 May. The

Chinese have so far responded to none of

these approaches.

The only evidence of any sort which we

have is a report from a foreign resident of

the Friendship Hostel, who recently told a

member of our Mission that Eric Gordon and

his family had reappeared some weeks ago for

about a day, apparently under no form of

restriction.

unconfirmed;

This report is so far

but we are doing our best to

find corroborative evidence.

I am sorry that I can only give you such

a tentative reply.

But I kun ym

You will however

understand the problems involved.

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

14.6

Mr. Samuel

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No 3i

20 JUN 1968

Filari

W.31

Flage A, B,

and C.

Flags D and

Mr. Eric Gordon and Family

I attach draft replies to letters (a) from

Mr. and Mrs. Gordon to the Prime Minister and

(b) from The Rev. The Lord Soper, who enclosed a

letter from Miss Anita Gordon, Mr. Gordon's sister.

2. There is nothing to add to the background

information in my submissions of 1 May and 28 May.

Jann Unnay

(James Murray)

13 June 1968

28.5

Mr. Samuel

CONFIDENTIAL

RECEIVED IN [ARCHIVES No.31;

20 JUN 1968

F2/42

Plags A & B

Flag C

Flag D

Flaga E & F

Letters from Mr. Merlyn Rees, K.P. to

Kr. Roberts about the Gordon Family

I attach a draft reply from Mr. Rodgers to letters of

20 and 23 May from Mr. Merlyn Rees, M.P. to Mr. Roberts.

Mr. Rees wrote to Mr. Roberts on 2 April, but the letter did

not reach Far Eastern Department. Mr. Rees has since sent a

copy. The background to the case of the Gordons is in my

submission of ↑ May.

2. We have since received an unconfirmed report that a

French resident of the Friendship Hostel saw Mr. Gordon and

his family at the Hostel where they had reappeared for only

about one day. We have asked for confirmation of this and the

Chargé d'Affaires hopes it will be possible to question the

informant further in early June when he applies for a visa

to go to Hong Kong (Peking telegrams 448 and 482).

Janes Wnnaga.

(James Kurray) 28 May, 1968

CONFIDENTIAL

Fi(42.

Foreign Office London S.W.1

From The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

5 June, 1968.

The Foreign Secretary as asked me to thank you for your letter of 28 ly coout your sou Eric and his wife and son.

Since the letter Mr. Corowy itcberts wrote to Mirs. Gordon on 7 ky there has been a development, of which we have already informed your son Jeffrey, with whom we have been keeping in close touch. A foreign resident of the Friendship jostel in. Peking recently told & member of our Mission that Eric and his family had reappeared some weeks ago for about a day, apparently under no form of restriction.

I must, I am afraid, emphasise that this report is 'so far unconfirmed. We are doing our best to obtain information, but as you know our Mission works under great difficulties in Peking. In the meantime we are

continuing to do all we can in the interests of your son and his family. I raised his case again with the Chargé d'Affaires only ton lays ago; and we shall continue to press for information both here and in Peking.

Mr. and Mrs. S. Gordon,

22 Westbourne Gardens,

HOVE,

Sussex BN 3.

William Rodgers

Registry F4/42 DRAFT

LETTER

No.

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Top Secret.

Secrol

Confidential.

Restricted.

Unclassified.

PRIVACY MARKING

Confianc

To:

Mr. and Mrs. S. Gordon,

22, Westbourne Gardene, Rove, Sussex BN 3.

Type 1+

From

MR. RODGERS

Telephone No. & Ext.

Department

Flag A

Flag E

The Foreign Secretary has asked me to

-reply be your letter of 28 Kay about your son

Eric, and his wife and son.

MA.

Since the letter Mr. Roberts wrote to

Mrs. Gordon on 7 May there has been a

development, of which we have already informed

your son Jeffrey, with whom we have been

keeping in close touch. A foreign resident

of the Friendship Hostel in Peking recently

told a member of our Mission that Eric and his

family had reappeared some weeks ago for about

a day, apparently under no form of restriction.

I must, I am afraid, emphasise that this

report is so far unconfirmed. We are doing

our best to obtain confirmation, but as you

know our Mission works under great difficulties

in Peking- In the meantime, we are continuing

to do all we can in the interests of your son

and his family. Mviäänyves raised his case

again with the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires ad

interim only ten days ago;and we shall continue

to press for information both here and in

Peking.

WEEL KEZDE

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

Sto.

Mr. Samuel

UNCLASSIFIED

K IVED IN

¦AR.......... VES No.31

20 JUN 968

=1/42

Flag A

Mr. Eric Gordon: letter from Hr. Gordon's family

I attach a draft reply from Mr. Rodgers

to a letter from the family of Mr. Eric Gordon,

whom we believe to be in detention in China.

Flag C Flag D

The background to the case is in my

submissions of 1 May and 28 May.

(James Kurray)

76/6.

Fa142

Foreign Office London SW.1

Prom The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

29 May, 1968.

Thank you for your letters of 20 May and 23 May to Gorowy Roberts (which he has used me to answer) about the Gordon family, thought to be in China. am sorry that your letter of 2 April went astray.

It has been very difficult to obtain news about the Gordons. They have never been in touch with our Mission in Peking, and we did not know of their

There

disappearance until . Gordon's brother, Mr. Jeffrey Gordon made enquiries on 1 February. 1.0 tice of the Gordons has been found in Hong Kong. Formal requests for information were made to the Chinese cuthorities in Peking on 3 February, 1 and 25 March and 4 lfay. have been frequent inform1 reminiers. I myself made strong representations to the Chinese Chargé d'affaires i.. London on 5 April and 24 ay about British subjects known or suspected to be under detention, and specifically referred to the Gortions. We are in. close touch with Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, who has apparently received no reply to letters to highly placed Chinese officials nor to enquiries at the Chinese Mission here in London.

Very recently we have heard from our Mission in Peking that they have received a report tilt the Gordons were seen for one or two days some weeks ago at the Friendship Hostel (a hostel where foreigners working for the Chinese Government live) from which they nad earlier apparently disappeared. We are trying to obtain confirmation of the report, but in the difficult circumstances under vhien qur Mission and other foreigners now work i. Pcking, to obtain further information is not easy. We have told ir. Jeffrey Goition that we should not wish to place too optimistic an interpretation on this one report until moře is known.

Merlyn Rees, Esq., K.P.,

House of Commons.

/In view

ри

latvo pr.

sime

we extant, will paper we

Ms Rodger

ALAMA

In view of the reported detention of other British subjects sympathetic to the Chinese, e.g. Mrs. Epstein

and Mr. Michael Shapiro, it is, I am afraid, very possible that the Gordons may have been detained.

There have been some signs of slight easing in our relations with the Chinese; for example, a visit has been permitted to Mr. Anthony Grey, the Reuter's correspondent under house arrest in Peking. If this. trend continues, we may be in a position to do more for British subjects in difficulties, including the Gordons. We shall in any case pursue our enquiries with the Chinese authorities. If any information comes to light from them or from other sources, I shall let you know immediately.

William Rodgers

WDBJL 31-743

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

Registry 142

No.

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Top Secret.

Secret

Confidential

Restricted.

Unclassified.

PRIVACY MARKING

In Cordómace

DRAFT

To:

Merlyn Rees, Esq., M.P., House of Commons, S.7.1

Type 1 +

From

Kr. Rodgers

Telephone No. & Ext

Department

Flag A

Thank you for your letters of 20 Kay and

23 May to Goronwy Roberts (which he has asked

me to answer) about the Gordon family, thought

to be in China. I am sorry that your letter

of 2 April went astray.

It has been very difficult to obtain news

about the Gordons. They have never been in

touch with our Mission in Peking, and we did

not know of their disappearance until Mr.

Gordon's brother, Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, made

enquiries on 1 February. No trace of the

Gordons has been found in Hong Kong.

requests for information were made to the

Chinese authorities in Peking on 3 February,

12 and 25 March and ↳ May. There have been

frequent informel remindere.

Formal

I myself made

strong representations to the Chinese Chargé

d'Affaires in London on 5 April and 24 May

about British subjects known or suspected to

be under detention, and specifically referred

to the Gordons. We are in close touch with

Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, who has apparently received

no reply to letters to highly placed Chinese

officials nor to enquiries at the Chinese

Mission here in London.

Very recently we have heard from our

Kission in Peking that they have received a

report that the Gordons were seen for one or

/two

two days some weeks ago at the Friendship Hostel

(a hostel where foreigners working for the

Chinese Government live) from which they had

earlier apparently disappeared. We are trying

to obtain confirmation of the report, but in

the difficult circumstances under which our

Mission and other foreignere now work in

Peking, to obtain further information is not

easy. We have told Mr. Jeffrey Gordon that

we should not wish to place too optimistic an

interpretation on this one report until more

is known.

In view of the reported detention of other

British subjects sympathetic to the Chinese,

e.g. Era. Epstein and Mr. Michael Shapiro,

it is, I am afraid, very possible that the

Gordons may have been detained.

There have been some signs of slight

easing in our relations with the Chinese;

for

example, a visit has been permitted to Mr.

Anthony Grey, the Reuter's correspondent under

house arrest in Peking. If this trend

continues, we may be in a position to do more

for British subjects in difficulties,

including the Gordoną. We shall in any case

pursue our enquiries with the Chinese

authorities. If any information comes to

light from them or from other sources I shall

let you know immediately.

ins27

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

29-1-

ร

Copy for M. Rodger 37

FE Dept for draft reply from

the Rodgers, pl.

22, Westbourne Gardens,

до

28/5.

Hove,

Sussex, EN3. 5PP

RECEIVED IN

Dear Sir,

28th. xay, 1963,

We should be obliged if you could please be so kind as to let us know whether you have any news from China yet, of our son, Eric Gordon, his wife, Marie, and their son, Kim, aged twelve years.

We are very worried about them, and hope that they are not

111.

We would be very grateful for any information you could

give of our son and his family.

Thank-you very much indeed.

AR HIVES No.31

-5 JUN 1968

Fa/2.2.

With all best wishes,

Your's at

sincerely,

4. Gordon. (Miss.).

A. Gordon, (Miss),

EP. KR. 4 MES. S. GORDON, & FAMILY.

Mrs. Gordon & Mr. S.Gorche

+ Family.

(krs. S. Gordon, and Kr. S. Cordórí, and Family.).

Draft reply has four opt

Ents

RECEIVED N

- 6 JUN 1968

Fe1/42 trand's

ه بام

FE.

22, Westbourne Gāns.

Hove,

BN3.1 SPP.

Sussex, BN3 . | SPP.

. 21 vað

27th. May, 1968.

Dear Sir,

Pri

Rza

Could you please be so kind as to any news from China of our son Fic Gordon, son, Kim, aged twelve years.?

let us know whether you have his wife, Marie, and their

They intended to leave Peking

They are presumed to be detained. on 5th November, 1967. We have not had a letter from them for seven months; and they used to write regularly every week.

are not ill. years old.

We are very worried and anxious about them, and hope that they

We are particularly worried about Kim, who is only twelve

Thank-you very much indeed.

With Best Wishes,

Yours singerely,

Mrs. Gordon, & Mr. S. Geading

Krs. & Mr. S. Gordon, & Family.

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.21!

4- JUN 1968

Kay Gandan

10, DOWNING STREET, S.W.1.

PRIVATE SECRETARY

PRIV

Foreign Office

น

The attached communication addressed to the Prime Minister is transmitted to you to be dealt whatever manner is considered appropriate by the Department concerned. It refers to previous correspondence which was forwarded to

you on

1. No acknowledgment has been sent from here.

2. A plain acknowledgment has been sent from here, adding that the communication has been forwarded to your Department.

3. A plain acknowledgment has been sent from here, adding that the communication is receiving attention. You should ensure that a substantive reply is sent from your Department as soon as possible.

4. A copy of the acknowledgment which has been seat from here is attached.

Date 30.5.68.

6467 Dd. 268461 20m 4/68 CHC 696

wim

Methodist Church

Kingsway Hall London WC2 Telephone 01-405 3246 ?

Sperintendent Minister

The

The Lord Soper MA PhD

West London Mission

4 JUN 1968

**Kingsway Creche

FC 1/42

Circuit Stewards

Mr Malcolm Spencer FPS

Prof Arthur Smailes MA DLit

St Luke's House

St Mary's House Grove House

Alfred Hartley House

Emerson Bainbridge House Goodliffe House

Fellowship House

Katherine Price Hughes Hostel Hopedene

WLM Clothing Store

The Under-Secretary for STate,

Foreign Office,

Whitehall,

London, S.W.1.

29 May 1968

Dear Sir,

I received the enclosed letter

which I think you

will find self-explantory - this morning.

I find it difficult to know how I can help this lady, and I am wondering if you can give me any advice regarding the whereabouts of her brother and his family.

I should be most grateful for any assistance you can give in this matter.

Yours faithfully,

бори

The Ray. The Lord Soner

e 150

Dear Sir,

22, Festbourne Gardens,

Hove,

Sussex, BM3. 5FP.

28th May, 1968.

[

I am writing about my brother Eric Gordon, his wife, Marie,

and their son, Kim, aged twelve years, who are probably being

detained in China; and wonder whether you could help or advise in any wy. The Foreign office have asked the Chinese about them, but have not, so far, received any reply.

Eric and Marie went to Peking to work in 1965, and were due to leave on 5th November, 1967. They intended to get a Cargo boat from Hongkong, but they did not cross the border into Hongkong, as there is

no record of it.

The last We have not had a . letter from them for seven months• letter we had from them was 28th. Cctober, 1967. They said that they would write next from Hongkong before getting on a boat, but we have not had any letter. They used to write regularly every week, so something must have happened to cause their letters to stop so suddenly like that, after they had written so regularly for nearly three years.

He are very worried and anxious about my brother and his family, and hope that they are not ill. We are particularly anxious about Kim, who is only twelve years years old.

If you could possibly please help or advise in any way, we would be most grateful, and really appreciate it.

Thank-you very much indeed.

With best wishes,

Yours sincerely,

Anita Gordon (Miss).

Anita Gordon. (Miss).

ओ

CONFIDENTIAL

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31

27 MAY 1968

Cypher/Cat A

PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

F21/424

Telno. 482

25 May 1968

CONFIDENTIAL

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 482 of 25 May, Repeated for information to Hong Kong.

Your telegram No. 551: Gordon,

Further contact with informant in immediate future may be difficult. He has however said that he will be applying to us in early June for Hong Kong tourist visa as he is leaving China, and he gave the impression of being willing to talk to people in Hong Kong. We shall try to talk with him here when he applies and sh 11 in any case keep Hong Kong informed.

2. In 'crmant was quite certain of his identification of Gordon family.

Foreign Office pass Hong Kong 32.7.

Sir D. Hopson.

[Repeated as requested]

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

F.E.D.

News Dept.

Consular Dept.

C.O. H.K.D.

Граде

LANT

RET.

WEZI

DDDDD

CONFIDENTI AL

14.

CYPHER/CAT A

CONFIDENTIAL

PRIORITY FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING

TELNO. 551

23 May, 1968

(F)

Jum 25/5 раз

CONFIDENTIAL.

ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NO. 551 OF 23 MAY REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG.

YOUR TELEGRAM NO. 448: GORDON,

THE FAMILY HAVE STILL RECEIVED NO NEWS FROM GORDON,

2. WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO OBTAIN FROM THE INFORMANT A CLOSER PROXIMATION OF THE DATE ON WHICH HE SAW GORDON FAMILY, AND THE DEGREE OF CERTAINTY OF HIS IDENTIFICATION?

SOSFA

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

FO: F.E.D.

NEWS DEPT.

CONSULAR DEPT.

CO: H.K. DEPT.

CONFIDENTIAL

LAST

REE.

梅菜蔬车

KET.

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

No. F

Registry No.

DEPARTMENT

F41/42

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION PRIORITY MARKINGS

Top

Flast

onfidential

Priority

(Date)..........

Despatched

• Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should

reach addressEC(1),

111

2040

2375

YPHER

PRIVACY MARKING

In Confidence

Cypher

Draft Telegrapí to.

Peking

Nor/ 5:51

[Sect

Security classification" -if any

urification]

[ Privacy

Privacy marking -if any

[Codeword--if any]

Addressed to

telegram No..

And to

LITL

(Date) 23/5 repeated for information to

And to:-

Repeat to:-

953

Hong ong

Saving to:-

KARIBIKAH

Saving to...

PEKING

CONFIDENTIAL

➖ ➖➖➖ -- PLOJ

(date)

.. והויניזו.

HONG KONG

Your telegram No. 448: Gordon.

The family have still received no news from

Gordon.

a daer

Aberta

to obtain from the informant 2. Is it possible for you to cinek with

If the Pronch contact the approximate date on which he saw

Gordon family, and the degree of certainty of his

identification?

[3.

مرحبا

Hong Hons plocco zainte

check

errizala

from Ohing in case fordon family should leave vía

Hlon - Keng.]

Distribution:- Departmental F.0. F.E.D. Consular Dept.

News Dept.

C.O. H.K.D. Copies to:-

EXAMINED AT/248/23%

SKINATURE

183823456

Oeft!(.

Ring.

F.E.

MR Rodgers.....

Reid 24/5

Dear Goronway

House of Commons,

Dept.

London, S.W. 1

23rd Man Gr

I encou

RECEIVED IN

ARCI

24 MAY 1968

F21/42

pear

correspace

requested

ore Sicurely

Mery

I ca

concerning

une inf

יי

F na ing been sporun th

Le pectier a

// info.

+L.

Resep to suban't first

Dr. G. Ruberts,, befes Minister of Stato, loreign Ofico.

one.

Ag...

11526

זז

DETAILS OF THE PEOPLE INVOLVED

Mr. Eric Gordon.

Born in Manchester, England a British subject. Aged 36/37 years;

Ex-Reporter.

European;

Jewish

Has worked on papers in Southend and Nottinghan. Has worked on the Brentford and Chiswick Times, the Reynolds News, the Daily Herald and in the Exchange Telegraph News Agency. Was interested and sympathetic on the social experiments taking place in China.

Native Language: Pekin.

English. Learned a little Chinese whilst in

Mrs. Marie Gordon.

Born in England

and English mother. complexion, etc.

Aged 32/33 years.

a British subject of a Ghanese father and Is a half-caste: black curly hair, dark

Has worked mainly in offices. After this a housewife, then städent. Ead been accepted to study at the London School of Economics and hoped to enter the school upon her return.

Native Language: English. Could speak a little French. Learned some Chinese whilst in Pekin.

Like her husband very interested in and sympathetic to the social experiments taking place in China.

Kin Gordon - son of the above.

Born in London, England

Aged 12 years.

a British subject.

brown

Slightly tanned complexion, krig but fairly tightly curled hair. Spake English fluently. Was said to be proficient in Chinese as he attended Chinese school when they lived in Pekin.

DETAILS OF VISIT TO CHINA, PROJECTED

JOURNEY BACK TO ENGLAND

ETC.

In 1964, Eric Gordon's job with the Daily Herald was terminated due to general redundancy.

He and his wife had always been interested in developing countries and had considerod living temporarily in Ghana, India, Czechoslovákia, among other countries. However, they had not moved to any of these countries, although they did visit Hungary and Poland.

In 1964, the Chinese Legation was interested in obtaining the services of English-speaking people for work in Pekin. They were introduced to the then Chinese Chargé D'Affairs by one or bother of the following people:-

and

Mr. Jack Shapiro,

100, Brim Hill,

Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, N.2. HIGhate 1697

Mr. Darek Bryan, 85, Holden Road,

London, K.2.

HILLside 9072

Insurance Agent.

Member of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding (S.A.C.U.)

Lecturer in Chinose, Holborn College of Izw,

Languages & Commerce.

Member (and ex-Secretary)of S.A.O.U.

The Gordons loft England for Fokin in February, 1965, where Bric Gordon was employed by the Foreign Languages Press, English Section, Room 307, Pai Wan Chuang, Pokin, 37, China, where he was improving the phraseology, etc. of material already translated. from the Chinese. His wife was employed as a teacher of English to students of 16 years and over, and the son attended a Chirese School.

When he was first in China, Eric Gordon submitted sons, articl on China to the Sunday Telegraph, which published thon. He stopped doing this when he was requested to do so by his superiors in the Forsigu Languojos iTOCI,

When the Cultural Revolution began in about August, 1966, the wife stopped working and the child (together with all other school-· children) stopped attending school.

During the whole period of their stay, both adulta vro be rogutarly to their respective parents, usually at fortnightly intervals. The only time when the interval was longer (about 4 weeks) was when thoy took a trip to the interior.

All the lettera were detailed, in particular those of Eric Gordon to his brother. The latter were also extremely long and sequent because they were intended to be kept to provide notes

the book which he (Eric) hoped to write upon his return from China. None of the letters appeared to be censored and they took between 5 and 12 days to reach the recipient.

Eric Gordon's contract expired in February, 1967, but the family obtained a six month extension. They intended to. leave Pekin for Hong Kong on 31st October. However, recenti enquiries confirmed by Foreign Office investigations, showed that, in fact, they left Pekin on 5th November, intending to go to Hong Kong, via Shanghai and Canton. SINCE THIS TIME (21 WEEKS) THERE HAS BEEN NO NEWS FROM OR OF THEM. Enquiries by the Foreign office confira that they have NOT crossed the border from Canton into Hong Kong. Their last 16tter telling of their plans was dated 29th October, 1967.

↑

Because there was no news of them, Eric Gordon's brother (Jeffrey) went to the Chinese Legation in January. Since then,

two further visits have been made and on every occasion the Charge D'Affairs (a different one each time!) has been evasive and unhelpful.

About two months ago, the British Foreign Officer was contactaa. The offidals involved werelio.aro Faequill (now transferred to Iran), Mr. Brunnage (Trafalar 4555 Ext. v03) anl Mr. Sharland (930-8440), all of whom have been very helpful.

The F.O. checked with the Authorities in Hong Kong that the Gordons had not crossed the border. They also confirmed that they left Fekin on 5th November, by contacting a Kepalese vorer in the Foreign Community there. Hore recently, on 25th March, Mr. Sharland sent a cable to the British Chargé d'Affairs in Pekin and authorised (directed, asked) him to contact the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Fekin inmediately with all the details. To date (30th March), no further information has been received.

Mr. Jeffrey Gordon would like to re-emphasize how helpful and co-operative the Foreign Office have been in the matter.

It is vital that before any of the above information is mide public the following interested parties MUST be consulted:

Mr. Jeffrey Gordon,

71, Hertford Road

Bast Finchley, N.2.

TUDor 8597

Mr. George Fottle (brother-in-law), 81, Bedster Gardens, Kursbek Hearst Park, West Molesey, Surrey. 979-8867

It is wished that the above information is made public OHLY if considered necessary to the interests of Mr., Mrs., and Kin

Gordon by the Foreign Minister (or the person deputised by him to handle the matter).

From M. Reer. MP MY

for

Reid 21/5

Far Eastern

Mh.Rodgers...

House of Commons,

ant

RECEIVE

London, S.W.1

20 May 1968

ARCHIVES N.

Ackid 21/5

24 MAY 1968

Dear Goronwy.

wrote

You

Family

who

Care

}

yer

F211421

2nd Aprt eux

Concernand

China [CHING]

for

す

Is there

me?

ཡཀཉྩ

news

Your Summels Merl

ра

Mr. Benson

Mr. Murray

CONFIDENTIAL

FC 1/42

Reference

Flag D

I think that

are can uly

Hawg Kong to

Le tir

May many think

if mold

36* be leaching Run this bowed,

Eric Gordon and family

Peking telegram No. 448 reports a conversation in which a member of the Mission in Peking heard from a French contact that the latter had seen the Gordon family "within the last few weeks".

2. I have spoken to Mr. J. Gordon who has confirmed that the family in England have not received any news from Eric Gordon. I passed on the gist of the report from Peking, but explained most carefully that too much trust should not be placed in it, and that the family here should not allow their hopes to rise too much.

3. I think, however, that the report is worth investigating further, if that can be done, It would be particularly useful if we could establish the approximate date of the sighting and the degree of certainty of the identification. Since Mrs. Gordon is coloured, the latter may seem a foolish question at first sight, but I understand there are several expatriate Africans in Peking.

4. Had the Gordons been released and were they engaged on collecting their last few belongings from the Hostel, I should have expected them to have left China by now. The failure of the family in England to receive news, however, argues against that hypothesis. It may be worth while, though, to remind Hong Kong to keep a watch on travellers from China so that if the Gordons do leave via Hong Kong, we receive the information as soon as possible.

Kong.

I attach a draft telegram to Peking and Hong

Ackerland

J. Sharland) 23 May, 1968.

га

Jon Denson

Tel to nevt.

так

237~

Assay

pher/Cat A

PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Telegram No. 448

CONFIDENTIAL

20 May, 1968

F21/42

Addressed to Foreign office telegram No. 448 of 20 May, Repeated for information to Hong Kong.

Your telegram No. 426:

¡ng. Gordon.

A member of my staff learnt yesterday from a French resident of the Friendship Hostel that he had seen Gordon and family again at hostel where they had re-appeared for about one day only. They appeared to be under no (repeat no) form of restriction. Frenchman gave impression that this had happened within the last few weeks.

One possible interpretation of this is that Gordoné had been released and had come to pick up belongings before leaving China. You may like to check again whether the family have any news of them.

Foreign Office pass Hong Kong No. 324

Bir D. Hopson

[Repeated as requested]

at have panca

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

F.O. F.E.D.

News Dept

C.0. H.K. Dept

88866

Consular Dept

CONFIDENTIAL

information to Mr. J. Gordon,

The family have reccse of

and $ coma M. Gordon Mari the rust south selle pass

прив

'tamara'

$7%

No. 42

copy for FE.D.

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES N

Entry 17

16 MAY 1968

Fc 1142

必不

The Office of the British Charge d'Affaires present

their compliments to the Consular Department of the Ministry

of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, and

have the honour to refer to their Note No. 8 of the 3rd of

February, 1968, requesting the Department's assistance in

ascertaining the whereabouts of är. Eric Gordon and his

family. They have received no reply to this Note.

The offics of the British Charge d'Affaires would be

grateful to know as soon as possible whether Mr. Gordon, his

wife and son are still in China, and if so, how they may be

contacted.

The Office of the British Charge d'Affaires avail

themselves of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of

Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China the

assurance of their highest consideration.

Office of the British Charge d'Affaires,

PEKING.

5 Max. 1568

with

F21/42 + M. Bogel 7

2 Mr. Sharland. FED

Iltant that you wish brinks

Ittenti

ول

(BRAVERY)"

7.5-68

Have

eve read a replay

reply to ☹.

sam dirt and

one woul

but

find

have of st

#t pl

dish and

141.

がん

10, DOWNING STREET, S.W.1.

PRIVATE SECRETARY

Forsig. Office

ко

Pri with

The attached communication addressed to the Minister is transmitted to you to be dealt whatever manner is considered appropriate by the Department concerned. It refers to previous correspondence which was forwarded to

you on..

1. No acknowledgment has been sent from here.

2. A plain acknowledgment has been sent from here, adding that the communication has been forwarded to your Department.

3. A plain acknowledgment has been sent from here, adding that the communication is receiving attention. You should ensure that a substantive reply is sent from your Department as soon as possible.

4. A copy of the acknowledgment which has been sent from here is attached.

Date

115/68.

RECEIVED:

ARCHIVES N.

6467 Dd. 268461 20m 4/68 CHC 696

-3 MAY 1968

Gorda VE.

Copp

10, Downing Street, Whitehall.

May 1, 1968

Dear Miss Gordon,

The Prime Minister has

asked me to thank you for

your letter of April 26

which is receiving attention.

Yours sincerely,

(SGD) D. H. ANDREWS

Miss Anita Gordon.

[

き

Tham gia

atta

Dear Sir PM

the

bould

22, WEST BOURNE- GDNS,

HOVE,

SUSSEX, BN3.5 PP.

26th April, 1968.

امتی

you please tell me whether Government has heard anything from the Chinese Government regarding my brother, Eric Gordon, his wife Marie, and son Kim, Eleven years-old, yet?

Кий

не

We have not heard from them for six months. They have been in Peking for about three

leaving years and said they Early in November, 1967. The last letto we

Received from them was

in October, 1967.

They

west

were going to get a

Cargo & boat from Hongkong, but there

र्ट

record of them having

crossed the border into Hongkong

They said they would write from Hong kong before getting

There has been no

letter, so

boat.

something must have happened. They wrote reqularly each week

near the end of October,

until

1967.

It seemed to

to u us

that they must

have been detained by the

Chinese.

My other brother, and in-laws, have visited the Chinese Embassy, several times, and have been. unable to get any news from them.

My brother also went to the

Foreign Office a few weeks ago, and they contacted China,

ps.

but the Chinese would not reply.

-Could

you please let me know whether you have heard

вышен

anything from the Chinese Government since then. ?

Thank you very much. Thank-you

Yours Sincerely,

Anita, Gordon (Miss.)

brother, Eric, worked as a reporter in England, and in publishing office in China.

You

think the Government could

ack the Chinese Government,

ain about

ofamily.

му

brother and his

Reference

Ko/GORDON,

Mr. Gordon (brother | phoned

Q.m

to see if any change in position had been notified since he spoke to the Pasquill

a week or so

Вы в

ago.

being

an appeal

appeal to

told us

change!

he asked

M.P. would help. He

swas told that this would doubtless

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES M

20 MAR 200

Fel/42

referred

back to us

& that all that

being

done

Could be done was

Mr Avery spoke to him later

& made the additional point that

Such a question could raise publicity

which might draw the attention

Chinese authorities to ther. Gordon,

possible adverse effect's in the country

the

with

on his position

EA (4206)

тра

15/5

14/11

| =1

E4 (4206)

Reference.

Spoke to Smart in News Dept.

who had enquired what we knew of

Gordon's case (last evening)

yave him references to tels.

x Ch.daff's Note Verbale general outline

of case

肪

@ 1100

tha

3 Feb. 4

BB 916

PA.

Jannisys

Reference.

M. Si

Shytand

FED

You

many

care to see 4.

I have

maga anche

haesit 2

ensuring

that no

tele grams

or letter

enquering about British sabjects messing

Chemia

are semp

wrthant freir regerence byou.

Thank you.

for

us to to operate

I entirely aree

British subject's in

13.3.68.

ври

that it is vital

I will

thrower

That

relevant

China

you

any

telgrans etc. from this end.

M.. Quyong

Consula Dept.

Ed (14)

Mr. Bromage to mity thank

RS M/F PA

John Shankand

When

FE.).

42705

RR HUPOL

DE___HUIS?

R 0505492

TOP"

RED IN

ARCHIVES No.21

- FEB boud

F2/1/42 (dup. 'K')

FM AVCLLU AR-834

TO_RR_ASOLHY 15105 T

RR ASOLIX 95195

GR 16/2-~

*BT

Tehno 7str

ADDRESSED PEKING/51/RFI FO

3. NO TRACE, GOVERNOR-

GR 16

NNNN

ALSO ON FC 3/21.

формы

REOT10839/60. BY

03658

TELEPRINTER AT.

GMT

HONG KING

[Gordon} 0.457./ARTEL

TEL FOLY SIR. D. Thench.

102 TO FO. YOUR PARAGRAPH

Торта

Files -Xerox

Consular Dept - / 3

Bates

R. 124

ADR

Top +1-R.117

до

]

Far Eastern Department.

RECO

No.21

10F2B 1000

With the compliments of 21

THE OFFICE OF

THE BRITISH CHARGÉ D'AFFAIRES

Reference your telegram No. 121 of 1 February

Mr Sharland 12"%

تفاع

PEKIN

3 February, 1968

he Consulater

op.a

261/2

edile

-22

No. 8

*NED .

THED DUR

The Office of the British Chargé d'affaires present their

compliments to the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign

Affairs of the People's Republic of China and have the honour to

request their assistance in the following matter.

The Office of the British Chargé d'affaires understand that

Er, Eric Gordon, a British subject, arrived in Peking in February,

1965 to take up employment under contract with the Peking state

Publishing House. He was accompanied to China by his wife Marie

and his son (aged about 11); while in Peking the family's address

was Plat 8642, P.0, Box 300, Peking.

Mr. Gordon's relatives in Britain received letters from him

regularly up to the end of Üctober, 1967, at which time they

understood that Kr. Gordon and his family were to leave China via

Shemel en after spending a few days at Shanghai and a few days at

Canton. During the three months since that date however,

Hr. Gordon's relatives have received no news of his or his family

and they are concerned at his disappearance,

The Office of the British Chargé d'Affaires would be grateful

for the assistance of the Consular Department in ascertaining the

whereabouts of Ir. Gerdan. It would be helpful if the Consular

Department could discover for them whether Mr. Gordon and his

family have left China during the last few months by any of the

normal routes, and if not, at what address he may be contacted.

The Office of the British Chargé d'Affaires avail themselves

of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

of the People's Republic of China the assuran e of their highest

consideration.

Office of the British Chargé d'affaires,

PEKING.

3 February, 1968

Cypher/Cat.A

PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Telno. 102

CONFIDENTIAL

RECEIVED I ARCHA

-OFZD 100

CONFIDENTIAL

TOP COPY

3 February 1968

ко

prepmists

FC 1/42

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 102

of 3 February.

Repeated for information to Hong Kong.

Your telegram No. 121: Ourdon

We are asking Ministry of Foreign Affairs by

Note for assistance in discovering whereabouts of family. We have assumed that Gordon is a British subject,

although to best of our recollection he was not registered with us and made no contact with us while in Peking.

2. It may be possible to discover relevant information from other foreigners working under similar contracts in Peking. We no longer have any direct contact with this community, but will try to pass word through diplomatic colleagues who do.

Hong Kong will no doubt confirm that he has not crossed the border.

Foreign Office pass Hong Kong 61.

Sir D. Hopson

[Repeated as requested]

FILES

Consular Dept.

न्छि

Brother informed

Rs/2

SSSSS

CONFIDENTIAL

F21/42

RESTRICTED

CYPHER/CAT A

INDIATE FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING

TELNO 121

1 FEBRUARY, 1968 (KO/GORDON E)

TOP COP

for puisis

pa 15/5

RESTRICTED

ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NUMBER 121 OF 1 FEBRUARY REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG.

BROTHER ANXIOUS ABOUT WHEREABOUTS OF ERIC GORDON, AGE 36, WHO WITH WIFE MARIE AND SON KIM AGE 11, WERE DUE TO LEAVE PEKING FOR U.K. AT END OF OCTOBER. GORDON HAD BEEN IN PEKING SINCE FEBRUARY 1965 ON CONTRACT TO THE PEKING STATE PUBLISHING HOUSE. HE IS ALSO A FREELANCE JOURNALIST. FAMILY WERE TO TRAVEL TO HONG KONG AND PLANNED TO SPEND TWO DAYS EACH AT CANTON AND SHANGHAI. GORDON'S ADDRESS IN PEKING WAS FLAT 8642, P.0. BOX 300, PEKING. RELATIVES RECEIVED MAIL REGULARLY BUT HAVE HAD NO NEWS SINCE 28 OCTOBER.

PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND REPORT.

SOSFA

FILES

CONSULAR DEPT.

FHC

RESTRICTED

[

Registry No.

DEPARTMENT

Re142 KO / GORDONE.

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Top-Secret

PRIORITY MARKINGS

-Secret→→

-Confidential-

Restricted

*Chekstfede

_Flash_

Immediate }*

Routing

(Date)

• Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should

reach addressec(s)

Despatched E

CYPHER

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

PRIVACY MARKING

In Confidence

-En ClairTM

Code

Cypher

Draft Telegram 10:-

PEKING AL

No.

(Date) 1/2

And to:-

•Security if any

'Security classification

ion]

Restricted

[

Privacy marking -if any

Addressed to

11.

[Codeword-if any]

PEKING

..PLAY.

(date)

た

HONG KONG

LIPPINELLI.

telegram No.

And to...

repeated for information to.

ILL------➖➖➖➖➖➖

Repeat to:-

HONG KONG

Saving to:--

Distribution:-

Saving to..........

ducers--PIN PASS --------------‒‒‒‒‒A KAA JA S

Pad -PHILADAŞ

----

Brother arissions about whereabouts of ERIE GORDON, age 36, who with wife MARIE and Son 11, were due to leave Reking for UK.

KIM

age

197 at end

Consular Dept.

Copies to:-

MAMINED AT 1647.4/2

IGNATURE

མ་

of Peking since February 1965 on contract to the Peking State Publishing House. He is also a freelance journalist. Family to travel to thong Kong and planned to spend two

October. GORDON had been in

were

each at Cauton and

days Shanghai Gordon's address in Peking was flat 8642, P.o. Box 300, Peking. Relations, receives mail regularly but have had

по

news since 28 October,

2. Please investigate and report.

Ry2 1/2

Ed (4206)

FC 1/42.

Reference..

$18

ERIC GORDON

Whe. Pottle called accompanies by Gordon's brother,

Mr. J. Gordon.

Whr. Gordon said that his brother went to Peking in february 19865 on contract to the Peking State Publishing House where he was employed as a "plirascologist." the is also a freelance journalist. His address in Peking

was flat 8642, P.O. Box 300, The last letter receives was dated 28

дано

Reking

October when Gordon said he expected to leave Peking, with wife and son, on 31 October. They planned to trave to

реал

Hong Kong, shopping

days each at

2 days

Canton and Shanghai. They should have arrived in thong Kong heteveen & ногу код 8

and 11 November.

Since 28 October relatives have had

no news. Whr. Pottle, a travel ayout, has checked with shipping lines and travel agencies in thory Kory

hur

на пась

I said

I would telegraphe

ри

Petzing

and wouw

would let Mr. Gordon

know the result.

Mr.J. Gordon's address

71, Hartford Rd.,

is:

East finchley, N.2

Tel: Home: TUDOR 8697

School: AMHERST 0373.

Tel to Paking.

W2/2

Jan195

Mua 1915

[

TELEPHONE CONVERSATION

ACTION

FROM

My G. POTILE.........................

ΤΟ

1/2

9.30.24 42.

FILE

...----+

Why Pottle's Lister-in-law was

due to leave Peking with her

husband and child on way to U.K. in October 1967.

No have Sivre then.

thisband is ERIG GORDON,

about 36, and is a journalist. Child aged 11.

While in China Goledous

wrote brome

Grace

fortnight but nothing heard for four mouths. They has hear in China

for 21⁄2 years.

I said I would telegraph

Peking for newd

of Gordon

yhe

hut asked Mr. Pottle if he

Could first provide more соло

information about Gordon

RECEIVE IN

ARCHIV

0.31

16 MAY .J68

F21/42

TIME. 9.30 a...

DATE................

TIME.....

INITIAL...

·H...

DATE.

W 18

INITIAL........

(9256561-155800 900 1755 ATËS. 199

RECEIVED IN

FAX.:YES NO 31

Y 15..

F21/42

The Royal Society

6 Carlton House Terrace

London, SWI

Tel. 01-839 5561

ext.262

JJPD/VMK

13 May 1968

conta

FC 13

ры

15/5

Dear Janet,

Thank you very much for your letter of

13 May about your efforts to trace the Gordon family. I shall tell Mr J. Gordon what you have suggested.

Yours sincerely,

Sun Direnell

(JJP DEVERILL)

for Executive Secretary

Miss Janet Evans,

East West Contacts Department,

4 Central Buildings,

Matthew Parker Street,

London, S.W.1.

比等

20 1/42

Foreign Office

116

LONDON. S.W.

SENT OF

13 Kay, 1968 (pu

ins

You sent me on 3 May copies of a letter with enclosures you had received requesting the Society's help in tracing a couple and their son last heard of in Peking.

I have consulted the political department concerned and the facts are that the Gordons were due to leave Peking last November. Kr. J. Gordon (the brother) approached the Foreign Office for help at the beginning of February but no trace of the family having left China through Hong Kong was found. Repeated enquiries made to the Chinese have received no reply. It is probable that the Gordons have been detained by the Chinese authorities but there is no definite proof. Yr. Gordon is aware of all this, so I think you will have to tell him there is nothing to add to what he already knows from the Foreign Office. I do not imagine that the Royal Society has any contacts in China that can be of use in this case, Hr. Gordon is naturally trying to get information from every conceivable source.

(Janet Evans) (Miss) East-West Contacts Department

J.J.P. Deverill, Esq., Royal Society.

یال

WOL 31-433

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

42 DRAFT

Registry No.

FC 1/42

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Condidential

Unclassified.

PRIVACY MARKING

J.J. P. Deverill Eng., Royal society

Type 1+ (16

Janet to vamo

From

Telephone No. & Ext.

Department

E-W. Cs DpZ

In Confidence

You sent me on 3

copies

etter.. enclosures

yo: hd received requesting the Society's

help in tracing a courlend their son 1st

Per

heard of in Pe` 2)

I have con:

the molitical de-a trent

concerned and the facts are t'at the Gordens

were due to leave Faring last November. Kr. J.

Fordon (the brother) approached the Frign Offic

but no

February

for help at the beginning of an

ace of the family having left ing thro-da

Hong ng "

found. Repeated enqui408

- Chinese

no received me regio

pina

na Love been de-

th. Sharland (Far Eastern Dept.)

ine **

Zefinite voor.

thoritier but thare 15 no

ku I think : 111 have to tel

. Fordon 1.

one of all t

at he alre nt

the

atan be

natu rlly

#11

every convenient

mion Comice. I do not fukedne P

⚫ lety bar any contacts in China

RECEIVE

DIVISION

IT t

Kr. Kalen

fet information on every oc

BENT TO

arvince.

To be entered with F.E.D.

JE??

Bd (4206)

• F21/42

Reference....

415

We spoke about the letter & have received

rom the loyal society below.

wiltin

I have now discussed the matter further

Department and it prefered that the papers be entered

with

you as the responsible Department for the Gordons, with a reply to the Royal Society over my name since me

the society's contacts in the F_O.

ŷ attach a

draft for you

comments.

J. Evans &

E-WCO 4

th. Start and ( Far Easter. Dept.)

Mr. Endus

ELI. CD.

have made

two dybt amendments to

овут

M. attached drift

that the

при

ради звала все

entimes here.

it.

зап рести

when the letter han four and

pe p7-

paru Japa ins

1975

Inth

Royal Soc.

Dear Janet,

The Royal Society

6 Carlton House Terrace

London SW1

Tel. 01-839-5561

ext.262

JJFD/VMK

3 May 1968

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31

1 6 MAY 1968

F1142

Jumpa 1875

I attach copies of the papers spoke

about or the telephone today. Please see if you can find out what is going on, because we would like to help if we can.

Yours sincerely,

John Deveill

(JJP DEVERILL)

for Executive Secretary

Miss Janet Evans,

East West Contacts Department,

4 Central Buillings,

Matthew Parker Street,

London,

.1.

RECEIVED IN

ARCHIVES No. 58

-6 MAY 1968

Dear Sir,

TUD. 8697

HERTFORD ROAD

EAST FIN CHLEY

LONDON, N. 2,

30. 4. 1968

writing to you

in the

able to

hope

that

help us,

you may

some

way, two traxe the

lyfother ERYC

who

wrote at

whereabouts his twifed MARIE, and theis KIM(aged 1ctober, 1967, that of be leaving

the

end

they

ard

would be

leaving Peking

England. Suice then,

perlod

souths, they have

ford England.

nearly SEVEN

beel heard

heard of 9 Gat

طمع

enclosing the details

the people involved.

Your sincerely,

Gordon

(J. GORDON)

DEF LIT

HS TAPI INVOLVED

Cir. Aric Gordon

Born in Manchester, England. A British subject.

-1 36/37 years;

=reporter.

European;

Jewish.

ilas worked on papers in Southend and Rottingham, on the Brentford and Chiswick Times, the keynolus News, the Daily Murald and in the Exchange relegraph News Agency.

Interested and sympathetic to the social experiments taking place in China.

Native Language: English. Learned a little Chinese whilst in rekin.

Mrs. Marie Gorún. Born in sugland.

A British subject of a Ghanese father and an english mother. Is coloured with curly black hair, derk complexion, etc. Aged 32/33 years.

Has worked in clerical and secretarial capacity mainly. After this a housewife then student. Accepted to study for a degree at London school of Economics upon her return.

Native Lan; UAJO I

English. Could speak a little Franch. Learned

Come Chinese whilst in Pekin.

Interested in social experiment occurring in China, us was hur husband.

Kim Gordon

on of the above

Born in London, England. A Britich subject.

A ̧ed 12 years.

Slightly tanned complexion, brown but fairly

i ̧htly curled hair.

Native Lan ungo: English. Said to be proficient in Chinese since he had attended Chinese school whilst the family in China (2+ years).

Dotails of Visit to China, projected Journey

Back to England, etc.

In 154, Eric Gordon's job with the Daily Herald was terminuted due to gun.ral redundancy.

ilo and his wife had always boon interested in developing lries and nad considered living tomporarily in Ghana, India, Czechoslovakia, among other countries. However, they had not moved to any of these countries, although they did visit Hlunary and Poland.

In 1964, the Chinese Legation was in.er-sted in obtaining the services of anglich-speaking poople for work in Fokin. They were introduced to tho then Chinese Chargó D'Affairs by one or both of the following people:-

and

Mr. Jeck Shapiro,

100, Brifill,

Hanpated Garden Suburb,

sie

London....2.

Iühade 1697

Kr. Dores/Bryan,

85, Holden Road,

London N.2.

Misjølde 9072

Insurance Agent.

Homber of the Society for Anglo-Chinese understanding. (S.A.C.U.)

Lecturer in Chinose,

Holborn College of Law

Languages & Commerce,

Komber (and ex-Secretary) of 3.4.C.U.

The Gordon left England for rekin in February, 1905, where Bric Gordon was employed by the Foreign Languages irecs, english section, Room 307, rai wan Chuang, lekin, 57, China, where he was inprovin.. the phraseology, etc. of material aire dy translated from the Chinese. llis wife was employed as a toscher of English to students of 16 years and over, and the son attended a Chinese school.

When first in China, üric Gordon submitted come articles on Ching to the Sunday telegraph, which publi:hod then, Ho stopped doing this at the request of his superias in the Foreign Languages

esc.

The Cultural Revolution began in abou ugust, 1956 and the vife stopped teaching and the child (together with all other schoolcziluren) stopped attend.ng school.

During the whole period of their stay, botu adults wrote regularly to their respective purenta, wunily at fortnightly intervals. The only longer interval was onco for 4 woods a when they took a trip to the interior.

aric Gordon's contract ex ired in Febr. 102. tout family outuined a six monta extension.

contritt

1262 the

ekin for long nong on 31st October. n、ve confirmed that they left rekin on to Hong Kong via changhai and Canton. no nows has boen received from them.

However, friends in China

5ta Noveuber intonging to 60 Since this time (26tweCKS)

bcuntly, the Foreign Office told certain reporters the

details which have appoured in the press to ether with information about two navul 、fficers. The Foreign Office have been making what enquiries they can without any success so far.

Before any of this information is made public, the foll wing parties must be consulted:

Hr. Jeffrey Gordon, (brother to Eric)

71, hertford kd.,

Bast Finchely, N.c.

TJJor 8547

Mr. George Fottle (brother-in-law)

bl, Bedster Gardens,

Hearst Fark,

West Lobsey, Surroy. 679-8867

FC 1/42.

NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS

Acorn House, 314/320 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1

Telephone: 01-278 7916

IJO/G

1008

James Murray, Esq.,

Far Eastern Department, i

Foreign Office,

LONDON S.W.1.

Fey/42 i Manas

Mr Shankards.

7th May 1968

Enter.

Dear Mr. Hurray,

Mr. Bradley is at present away from the office ireland, so I am acknowledging with thanks your letter to him of 6th May. He will, of course, see your letter on his return.

Yours sincerely,

berly tasted

Secretary to Mr. Bradley

General Secretary : H. J. Bradley

Deputy General Secretary: T. D. Lucy

Japan. 14/5

Fel/42

•You

бра

7 May, 1988,

VESPATCHED BY

MUSTER OF STATE'S OFFICE

I am replying to your letter of 30 April to Bill Rodgers (who is abroad at the moment) in which you enclosed a letter from Mr. Sam Gordon, one of your constituents, kept a copy of kr. Gordon's letter on our files.

We have

I am afraid that there is very little that I can tell you which would reassure Mr. Eric Gordon's father. The facts in his letter are aterially correct. Mr. Gordon and his family have never been in touch with our Mission in Peking, so we were not well placed to obtain news of him when he disappearēd. In fact we knew nothing of the disappearance until his brother, Mr. Ceffrey Gordon, made enquiries on 1 February. No trace of the Gordons has been.). nd in Hong Kong. Formal requests for information were made to the Chinese "authorities in Peking on 3 February. 12 March and 25 March and they were rezinded frequently. Sir Donald Hopson was instructed a day or two ago to make a further approach in Peking and we have just heard that hiê has done so. We are in clöse touch with ir. Jeffrey Gordon, who has apparently received no reply to letters to highly-placed Chinese officials and enquiries at the Chinese Mission here in London.

In view of the reported detention of other British subjects sympathetic to the Chinese, for example, Mrs. Epstein and ir. Michael Shapiro, we think it probable that the Gordon family are being detained by the 'hinese also.

Martin Haddan, Esq., M.P.

House of Commons, S. W. 1.

/There is

- 2

There is some sign of a slight easing of relations with the Chinese, for example, access has been permitted to Mr. Anthony Grey, the Reuters correspondent under house arrest in Peking.

If this trend continues, we may be in a position to do more to help British subjects in detention. We shall continue to press the Chinese about the Gordons and will let you and the family know if there are any developments.

Lrs. Sadie Gordon sent a letter to Her Majesty The Queen in terms similar to those of Mr. Gordon's letter to you The Foreign Office was asked to reply and I enclose a copy of the letter sent to her.

(G.0. ROBERTS)

WEB'L SI 2434

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

Registry Fc1/42.

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Top Secret.

Secret.

Confidential.

Restricted. Unclassified.

PRIVACY MARKING

DRAFT Letter

To:-

Martin Kaddan, Esq., K.P. House of Commons, S.W.1

•

In Confidence

Type 1 +

From

Mr. Roberts

Telephone No. & Ext.

Department

Kr. and Mrs. Eric Gordon

Kre.

I am replying to your letter of 30 April

Alisond of the kinwat

to Bill Rodgers (who is out of the country) in

DESPATCHED which you enclosed a letter from Mr. Sam Gordon,

Enclosures

Original of

Mr. Gordon's

letter to be

returned.

Copy of Mr.

Roberts' letter

to Hrs. Gordon.

one of your constituenta. We have kept a copy

of Mr. Gordon's letter on our fiels.

I am afraid that there is very little that

I can tell you which would reassure Mr. Eric

Gordon's father. The facts in his letter are

facts

materially correct. Mr. Gordon and his family

have never been in toúch with our Mission in

Peking, so that we were not well placed to obtain

news of him when he/disappeared.

In fact we

knew nothing of the disappearance until his

brother, Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, made enquiriee on

1 February. No trace of the Gordons has been

found in Hong Kong. Formal requests for infor-

mation were madd to the Chinese authorities in

Peking on 3 February, 12 March and 25 March, jand they were reminded frequently. Sir Donald

Hopson was instructed a day or two ago to make

further approach in Peking and we have just Lean Hast

he has done so. We are

poesired confin

in close touch with Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, who has

apparently received no reply to letters to

highly-placed Chinese officials and enquiries

at the Chinese Mission here in London.

/In view

In view of the reported detention of other

British subjects sympathetic to the Chinese,

for example, Mrs. Epstein and Mr. Michael

Shapiro, we think it probable that the Gordon

family are being detained by the Chinese also.

There is some sign of a slight easing of

relations with Chinese, for example, access

has been permitted to Mr. Anthony Grey, the

Reuters correspondent under house arrest in

Peking. If this trend continues, we may be

in a position to do more to help British

subjects in detention.

shall continue to

press the Chinese about the Gordons and will

let you and the family know if there are any

developments.

Mrs. Sadie Gordon sent a letter to H.K.

The Queen in terms similar to those of

Mr. Gordon's letter to you. The Foreign Office

sent to her.

was asked to reply and I enclose a copy of the letter

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

F41/42

DESPATCHED BY

MINISTER OF STATE'S O.FICE

7 May, 1968.

I am replying to your letter of 20 April to Her Majesty The Queen in which you enquired about your son, Mr. Eric Gordon, and his family.

I am afraid I cannot add to what we have already said to your son Jeffrey. We have made repeated attempts to obtain news from the Chinese. orricial requests for information were made on 3 February, 12 March and 25 March, in addition to repeated reminders by telephone. Sir Donald Hopson, the British Chargé d'Affaires in Peking, was instructed to make a further approach to the Chinese a day or two ago and we have just heard that, he has done so.

Unfortunately since your son never got in touch with our Mission in Peking, it was difficult for us to know what might have happened to him when it became clear he had not arrived in Hong Kong. In fact, the first we heard that he might be detained was from Jeffrey.

We have some reason to hope that relations with China may be improving. You probably read in the newspapers that Sir Donald Hopson had been able to visit"tr. Grey, the Reuters correspondent now under house arrest in Peking. We hope that if relations move slowly back to normal we shall be able to do more to help your son and his family as well as other British subjects in difficulties in China.

Meanwhile, I can assure you that we are continuing to do all we can to get news of him.

(G.0. ROBERTS)

Mrs. Sadie Gordon.

22. Westbourne Gardens,

Hove

SUSSEX.

BNS 5PP

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

KEMETS KOMA

Registry No.

F21/42

DRAFT

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Top Secret

Secret.

Confidential,

Restricted.

Unclassified

To:-

Mrs. Sadie Gordon,

22 Westbourne Gardene,

Hove,

Sussex, BN3 5PP.

PRIVACY MARKING

-In Confidence

Type 1 +

From

Mr. Roberts

Telephone No. & Ext.

Department

Extra copy to

go with Mr.

Roberts' letter

to Mr. Madden

I am replying to your letter of 26 April

to Her Majesty The Queen in which you enquired

about your son, Mr. Eric Gordon, and his family

I'm afraid I can't add to what belave we were alread are already in close touch with your suid to your son Jeffery.

aon, Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, and there is nothing-

"SPATCHED By the Chinese.

STATES CFFICE

I can add to what he had already been told.

have made repeated attempts to obtain news from

Official re-uests for information

were made on 3 February, 12 March and 25 March,

in addition to repeated reminders by telephone.

Sir Donald Hopson, the British Chargé d'Affaires

in Peking, was instructed to make a further

approach to the Chinese a day or two ago and

hears Haut

we have just pessiv

unfortunately.

ation he has done gut

so. ¡Since your son was never in touch with our

it was difficult for up

Mission in Peking, w

lot well placed to

know what might have happened to him when it

became clear he had not arrived in Hong Kong.

sa beand

In fact, the first Indication we received that

he might be detained was from your other son,

Jeffrey. Gorden

We have some reason to hope that relatione

with China may be improving. You probably read

in the newspapers that Sir Donald Hopson had been

able to visit Mr. Grey, the Reuters correspondent

now under house arrest in Peking. We hope that

if relations move slowly back to normal we shall

be able to do more to help your son and his

/family

family as well as other British subjects in

difficulties in China.

Hemskule, lean amiest you that we are

Kaanwhile, please rest assured that we

combinuing to do all we can to get news of him.

shall godt inu

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31

9- MAY 1968

bir. Arbuthnott

FC 1/42

Frobable Detention of Kr. Eric Gordon

and his Family

Flag A

I attach draft replies to letters from Mr. Gordon's

@ .

Flag B

mother to H.M. The Queen and from Mr. Martin Maddan, M.P.,

who enclosed a letter from Mr. Gordon's father.

Flag C 2.

My submission of 1 May gives the background on the

Gordons.

Humay

(James Murray)

6 May, 1968

Bd (4206)

F41/42

Reference.....

W (10

I attach a letter addressed to Her Majesty The Queen by Mrs. Sadie Gordon of 22 Westbourne Gardens, Hove Sussex asking for news about her Son Eric, his Wife and Son aged 11.

2. You will see from the Buckingham Falace Private Secretary's Office stamp that Mrs. Gordon has been informed that her letter has been passed to the Foreign Office.

3. I understand that you are already dealing with this case, so I am sending it to you for entry and action by Far Eastern Department.

Mr. J.D.I. Boyd,

Rine Enture

(R. McEntire) (Miss)

Protocol & Conference

Department,

Room 409,

Charles House.

Far Eastern Department,

Room 86A,

Foreign Office,

Downing Street.

enter einmediz

3/5

110

PRIVATE SECRETARY'S OFFICE BUCKING ATA PACE

3 0 APR 1968

Walter I formed that letter

being forwarded to

oneign offers.

22, Westbourne Gardens,

Hove..

9- MAY 1968

мех

F21/427

Your Majesty,

ssex, BN3. 5PP.

April, 1968.

you could

could please

I wonder whether

instrust someone to advise me what to

ступни

where to enquire

eleven, as

вона,

aged

or write, about Erie, his wife, and sou

they have been in Peking

for three years,

and I have not

had a letter from them for six mouths

I do not know what has g

and now

happened to them.

They said that they would get cargol boat from Hong Kong in

November, 1967;

but

other s

sou,

went to the Foreign Office a few

and they

weeks

ago,

said that son, Eric and his family, did not cross the border into blong kong the The Foreign Office also asked.

Chinese Government about Eric and his family, but they did not-then-

receive

any reply. other son,

has also been to the

Chinese Embassy several times since March, and could not get any satisfaction from them!

Som

Eric, said he would write

letter from Hong Kong before getting

the bost, and as

they have not written, something must have happened. They used to write regularly every week. until the end of October, 1967. They were not casual about letter writing, and knew I worried about them; so something must b stop writing like that.

wrong

to make them

som Erie

am afraid that and his family must have been detained by the Chinese Goverment reporter in England, and worked in a publishing office in China His wife, Marie, taught English to

He was

امه

English.

pupils who already knew some

My Son and his wife did not speak Chinese, although they learned

•hilst living there. My Grandson learned the language there; very well,

I believe.

a little

son or his

I do not think that my family would do anything wrong or break any of the Chinese regulations. They always asked permission for whatever they wished to do. If they wished to visit another part of China during a holiday, they asked permission, and if

permission was

attempt to

was refused, they did not

Eric did not criticiss yo China in letters, and we did not write anything against Chine; so no ofault could have been found with letters if anyone else read them.

I keep wondering about Eric and his of amily, and thinking that they must have been detained by the Chinese,

as others have been?

you

think that the Government could ask the Chinese

Government about family, again

I am sorry

son and his

шу

that this is suc

long letter, and for taking up your

time.

Thank-you very much indeed.

Yours Sincerely,

Sadie Gordon. (Mrs.)

[

D.="

F42

6/5

FOREIGN OFFICE, B.V.1.

6 May, 1968.

пригор

In Mr. Rodgers' abpence in Strasbourg, I am replying to your letter I3076 of 25 Abril about Mr. Oray and Mr. Eric Gordon and his family.

You will know from Mr. Rodgers' letter of 29 April that Sir Donald Hopson has now seen Kr. Grey. We are, of course, contiming our efforts to secure his release. Now that there has been some development in the case, we consider that continua- tion of efforts through the diplomatic channel offers the best prospect of progress.

le share your concern about Mr. Eric Gordon and his family. We first heard of their disappearance from Kr. Gordon's brother on 1 February. Mr. Gordon himself has never been in touch with our Mission in Peking in any way. His brother told us that relatives in England had received no letters from the family, who were normally good correspondents, since the end of Gotober.

Te made enquiries in Hong Kong, which confirmed that there was no record of the family having passed through there and, on 3 February, our Mission in Peking asked the Chinese authorities for information about their whereabouts. Despite repeated reminders, no reply has yet been received.

Other foreigners in the "Friendship_Hostel" where the family lived in Peking, had not heard that the Gordons were in diffi- culties with the authorities and had assumed that they had left China as they intended. Their continuing silence, however, and the Chinese failure to provide information both suggest that they have been detained. If Mr. Gordon did indeed have notes and photographe for a book, this may in prezent circumstances have aroused Chinese suspicions.

for information, though recent experience in other cases gåvan no ground for expecting that we shall find anything out quickly.

The position of British subjects you have mentioned and of others also detained in China are a cmise of constant conesra to us. I can assure you that we are doing all we can to obtain information about, and consular access to them. Indeed, as you know, Mr. Rodgers saw the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires on 5 April to express our concern and dissatisfaction. We still believe, however, that for the present our best chance of success in

/t:.rough

I. J. Bradley, Esq.,

General Secretary,

National Union of Journalists,

Acorn House,

314/320 Gray's Inn Road,

London, .C.1.

through a general improvement in Anglo-Chinese relations. The visit to Mr. Grey and the granting of an exit visa to the family of one of the members of our Mission staff are both signs of some slight improvement; and of course we shall do our utmost to follow this up.

(James Murray) Far Eastern Department

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

DEGREE TORRAA

Registry No.

F41/42

DRAFT

Letter

To:-

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Top Secret,

Secret.

Confidential

Restricted.

Unclassified.

PRIVACY MARKING

"In Cooldende

H. J. Bradley, Esq., General Secretary,

National Union of

Journalists,

Acorn House,

314/320 Grey's Inn Road,

London, W.0.1.

Type 1 +

From

Munay

Telephone No. & Ex.

Department

In Mr Rodgers

Thank you for your letter IJO/G of

chance in Strabony 25 April about Mr. Grey and Mr. Erde Gordon I am reflying

后

and his family.

The Andpust of 24 Appl

Looms

Love will Lown from We are very pleased that Sir Donald Hopson

bee at lost been allowed to seekMr. Grey, and

relieved that in spite of a long period of-

virtual colitary confinement he ie in good

health and overdiag

We are, of cou

to bie ieoletien ee

of course, continuing our efforts to

his

secure a Greyle release. Now that there has

been some development in the case, we consider

that continuation of efforts through the

diplomatic channel offers the best prospect of

progress.

We share your concern about Mr. Eric

Gordon and his family. We first heard of their

disappearance from Mr. Gordon's brother on

1 February- Hr. Gordon himself has never been

in touch with our Mission in Peking in any way.

His brother told us that relatives in England

had received no lettere from the family, who were

normally good correspondente, since the end of

October.

We made enquiries in Hong Kong, which

confirmed that there was no record of the family

having passed through there and, on 3 February,

our Mission in Feking asked the Chinese

/authorities

authorities for information about their

whereabouts. Despite repeated reminders, no

reply has yet been received.

Other foreigners in the "Friendship

Hostel" where the family lived in Peking, had

not heard that the Gordons were in difficulties

with the authorities and had assumed that they

had left China as they intended. Their con-

tinuing silence, however, and the Chinese

failure to provide information both suggest

that they have been detained. If Mr. Gordon

did indeed have notes and photographs for a

book, this may in present circumstances have

aroused Chinese suspicions. We shall continue

to press for information, though recent experience

in other cases gives no ground for expecting

that we shall find anything out quickly.

The position of British subjects you have

mentioned and of others also detained in

China are a cause of constant concern to us.

I can assure you that we are doing all we can

to obtain information about, and, consular

as you kuni, Mi hashgan access to them. Indeed, saw the Chinese

Chargé d'Affaires on 5 April to express our

concern and digeatiefaction.

Ship believe,

however, that your beat chance of success is through a general improvement in Anglo-Chinese

relations. The visit to Mr. Grey and the

granting of an exit visa to the family of one

of the members of our Mission staff are both

signs of some slight improvement;

our utmost to follow this up.

And I cans)

shall do A

They

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

Fell42 D.-Pria: 615

FOREIGN OFFICE, S.W.1.

6 May, 1968.

In Mr. Rodgers' abgence in Strasbourg, I am replying to your letter of 26 April about your brother, Mr. Brie Gordon, and his family who have disappeared in China.

do first heard of the disappearanos of Mr. Eric Gordon on ↑ February from your other brother, Mr. Jeffrey Gordon. Baving confirmed from Hong Kong that there was no record of Mr. Eric Gordon and his family having entered the Colony, the British Chargé d'Affaires in Teking asked the Chinese authorities for information about the family's whereabouts on 3 February. Despite repeated reminders, the Chinese have so far failed to give us any information.

Te shall contime our efforts to obtain information about him and his family, but in spite of our recent muccess in obtaining access to Kr. Anthony Grey, the Reuters corres- pondent, about which you may have read in the press, I fear that - on the basis of our experience in other caseS cannot hold out any great hope that information will be forthcoming soon.

Miss Linda Gordon,

22 Westbourne Gardena,

Hove,

Sussex, B 3 SPF.

(James Murray) Far Eastern Department

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

GENIS KELAA

Registry No.

F21/42

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Top Secret.

Secret

Confidential,

Restricted,

Unclassified.

PRIVACY MARKING

In Confidence

DRAFT Letter

To:-

Miss Linda Gordon,

22 Westbourne Gardens,

Hove, Sussex

BN3 5PP.

Type 1 +

From

M. Roger Murray

Telephone No. & Ext.

Department

In Mr Rulgus

alssance in Strasburg,

I am

are refly my

Thank you for your letter of 26 April

about your brother, Kr. Eric Gordon, and his

family who have disappeared in China.

We first heard of the disappearance of

Mr. Eric Gordon on 1 February from your other

brother, Er. Jeffrey Gordon. Having confirmed

from Hong Kong that there was no record of

Mr. Eric Gordon and his family having entered

the Colony, the British Chargé d'Affaires in

Peking asked the Chinese authorities for

information about the family's whereabouts

on 3 February. Despite repeated reminders,

the Chinese have so far failed to give us any

information.

We shall continue our efforts to obtain

information about him and his family, but in

spite of our recent success in obtaining access

to Mr. Anthony Grey, the Reuters correspondent,

(I had hab thank

about which you will have read in the press,

on the basis of our experience in other cases

I cannot hold out any great hope that

information will be forthcoming soon.

dhe 6 Rang

1.5.

CONFIDENTIAL

RECEIVED IN

ARCHIVES No.31

Стра

Kr. Wilkinson

Mr. Samuel

8- MAY 1968

Flag A

Flag E

Flag C

ROBABLE DETENTION OF MR. ERIC GORDON

AND FAMILY

Kr. H. J. Bradley, the General Secretary of the National

Union of Journalists, and Miss Linda Gordon, Mr. Gordon's

sister, have both written asking for information about the

Gordon family. I attach, as requested, draft replies from

Mr. Rodgers.

BACKGROUND

The Gordon Family

2. Mr. Gordon, who reportedly worked for the Chinese Foreign

Languages Press and at some stage as a freelance journalist,

never had any contact with our Mission.

We first learned of

his disappearance and that of his family from an enquiry made

by his brother, Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, on 1 February. He informed

us that the family had been due to leave China early in

November, and no news had been received since October.

Sinoe

they were regular correspondents, their relatives in Britain

were concerned at so long a silence.

3. As a result of this enquiry we asked Peking and Hong Kong, through which the family was to travel, to make investi- gations about their whereabouts (telegram No. 121 to Peking). Hong Kong confirmed that they had no trace of the family's having entered Hong Kong. On 3 February Peking asked the Chinese authorities for assistance in discovering the family's

/whereabouts

CONFIDENT IAL

CONFIDENTIAL

- 2 -

Flag

Flag E

ATT.

Flag F

Flag G

AFT (W7

whereabouts (Peking telegram No. 102). No reply was

received, but enquiries in the "Friendship Hostel", where the Gordon family had lived while in Feking, indicated that,

although Mr. Gordon had been a political activist, other

"foreign friends" resident in the hostel had no knowledge

of his detention (Mr. Hunter's letter of 12 February to

Mr. Wilson).

When no further news was received Peking do not

report the telephonic reminders which they make when the Chinese have failed to reply to a formal Note we asked them on 12 March for any available information and again on 25 March, after Mr. Jeffrey Gordon had told us that he believed his brother to have been making notes in preparation

for writing a book when he left China.

5. There has still been no reply to requests for information. The case was raised by Mr. Rodgers when he summoned the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires, ad interim, on 5 April. Mr. Jeffrey Gordon, with whom Far Eastern Department are in close

touch, has confirmed that relatives in Britain have been

unable to obtain any information from the Office of the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires in London, and have not been allowed to see the Chargé d'Affaires. Lettera written to

senior officials of the Chinese Government remain unanswered.

6. The silence of the Chinese authorities, viewed together

with the sudden cessation of letters to relatives and the report from Hong Kong that they have no trace of the Gordon

/family's

CONFIDENTIAL

- 3-

family's having entered the Colony, makes it almost certain

that the family is detained in China. It must be remembered

that other "foreign friends" - Mrs. Epstein and Mr. Shapiro

are known to have been detained. It is unlikely that

Mr. Gordon would have been critical of the régime, but his

preparations for writing a book might tell against him. He

might also possibly have been involved with a Chinese in the

information or cultural field who has been disgraced.

There

7. We have now sent a further telegram to Peking asking

them to make another formal request for information.

is little likelihood that any reply will be received from the

Chinese. We can only hope that the slight improvement in

Anglo-Chinese relatione, illustrated by the agreement to a

visit to Mr. Grey and the issue of some entry visas for our

staff may lead to some progress.

Mr. Grey

Mr. Bradley asks if there is anything the National Union

of Journalists could usefully do to help Mr. Grey.

We are

discussing with Peking and Hong Kong what further action can

be taken on Mr. Grey's behalf, and a submission will be

prepared. I think, however, that action should continue

through diplomatic channels. We should, therefore, discourage

Hr. Bradley from contemplating any initiatives by the National

Union of Journalists.

CONFIDENTIAL

Jauns Muray.

(James Murray) 1 May, 1968

Philkinson

May1.

"sent it the At u als to

Chassi clatter

свой в него

to qui

by greates off a

栉

Mutt

ays

chat to Gestuna? otter

Sordena?

LB 15.68.

I have already made this scommestation

Sermission at the lind

of last week.

We must

follows it of

Mr Rodgers' is back on

13 May

In his absence, The Roadgers' office have sent back

the letter for chefatch by the Iefortonen.

The Deser

么

Mr Shary

16 Mary

Вра

Fat$25 Estat.

سا

Toy Copy entered KO.

RESTRICTED

LIPHER/CAT A

IMMEDIATE FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING

TELNO 121 1 FEBRUARY, 1968

WITH (7)

10°

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31

21 FEB 53

F23/21

(KO/GORDON E)

RESTRICTED

ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NUMBER 121 OF 1 FEBRUARY REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG

BROTHER ANXIOUS ABOUT WHEREABOUTS OF ERIC GORDON, AGE 36, WHO WITH WIFE MARIE AND SON KIM AGE 11, WERE DUE TO LEAVE PEKING FOR U.K. AT END OF OCTOBER, GORDON HAD BEEN IN PEKING SINCE FEBRUARY 1965 ON CONTRACT TO THE PEKING STATE PUBLISHING HOUSE. HE IS ALSO A FREELANCE JOURNALIST. FAMILY WERE TO TRAVEL TO HONG KONG AND PLANNED TO SPEND TWO DAYS EACH AT CANTON AND SHANGHAI. GORDON'S ADDRESS IN PEKING WAS FLAT 8642, P.0. BOX 300, PEKING. RELATIVES RECEIVES MAIL REGULARLY BUT HAVE HAD NO NEWS SINCE 28 OCTOBER.

PLEASE JNVESTIGATE AND REPORT.

SOSFA

FILES

CONSULAR DEPT.

FHC

109.

RESTRICTED

p.a.

Seemly

Top Copy entered Ko.

RECEIVED IN [ARCHIVES No.31

109

CONFIDENTIAL

21 FEB 1968

.Cypher/Cat.A

PEKING TO

FOREIGN OFFICE

F23/21

Telno. 102

3 February 1968

108

CONFIDENTIAL

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 102

of 3 February.

Repeated for information to Hong Kong.

Your telegram No. 121:,

Gordon.

We are asking Kinistry of Foreign Affairs by

Note for assistance in discovering whereabouts of family. We have assumed that Gordon is a British subject, although to best of our recollection he was not registered with us and made no contact with us while in Peking.

It may be possible to discover relevant information from other foreigners working under similar contracts in Peking.

We no longer have any direct contact with this community, but will try to pass word through diplomatic colleagues who do.

Hong Kong will no doubt confirm that he has not crossed the border

Foreign Office pass Hong Kong 61.

Sir D. Hopson

[Repeated as requested]

FILES

Consular Dept.

LA1

ALF.

108

NEZI

110

REP.

P.a. Sen will

SSSSS

CONFIDENTIAL

Sharland

Fitr.

8/5

ப

NEXI

kt.

109

Dear David,

109

Office of the British

Charge d'Affaires,

PEKING.

12 February, 1968

¡ARCH9V-> No.5 :

2J FEB 1968

F23/21

Please refer to our telegram No. 102 or 3 February answering your enquiry about the disappearance of Eric Gordon (I assume that you are dealing with this; if not I should be grateful if you would pass this letter on).

2. Ray Whitney had occasion a few days ago to speak with Hr. K.B. Pradhan, a Nepáli who, I understand, is known to you and who lives in the Friendship Hostel, where it turna out that Gordon also lived while he was in Peking (this is consistent with the address given in your telegram No. 121 Pradhan seemed convinced that Gordon had left Chine, and that if Gordon had been arrested he would have heard of it.

5. He also said that when Gordon was in Peking he had been very much a political activist. He was a leading sticker up of posters and Pradhan's last recollection of him is of his putting up his last poster (named as such). You will understand why, if we discover that he is in trouble, we shall regard him as having brought it largely on himself. But we shall of course continue to put out feelers to try and discover the whereabouts of him and his family.

I am copying this letter to Emrys Davies in Hong Kong.

Yours ever

(A. J. Hunter)

D. C. Wilson, Esq.,

Far Easter Department.

CONFIDENTIAL

↓

dDd.

F2312

$13

CONFIDENZIAL

124

FOREIGN OFFICE, S.W.1.

12 Karch, 1968.

Thank you for your letter PEK/5 of 12 February to David Wilson about the disappearance of Eric Gordon. I have shown your letter to Consular Department, who of course are also interested.

2. I realise that it is extremely difficult for you to obtain information at the present time but should be grateful if you would let me know if you manage to discover anything more positive about his whereabouts or those of his family.

A.J. Hunter, Esq..

PEKING.

(E.J. Sharland)

CONFIDENTIAL

RE 62%

F2-3/21.

a (12)

CONFIDENTI AL

TOP COPY

KECEIVED IN

CYPHER SAT A

PRTORITY FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING

TELNO 289 25 MARCH, 1968

CONFIDENTIAL

ARCHIVES No.

20 MAR

(F)

ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NO 289 OF 25 MARCH REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG

HUNTER'S LETTER PEK/5 OF 12 FEBRUARY TO WILSON: GORDON. GORDON'S FAMILY ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY CONCERNED ABOUT GORDON HIS WIFE AND CHILD. THEY HAVE RECEIVED NO NEWS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, HIS BROTHER CONFIRMS THAT HE WAS MAKING NOTES AND TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS TO WRITE A BOOK WHEN HE HAD LEFT CHINA. THIS INCREASES THE CHANCES THAT HE HAS BEEN DETAINED.

2. UNLESS YOU SEE OBJECTIONS, PLEASE APPROACH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES AND ASK IF THEY HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WHEREABOUTS.

SOSFA

FILES

FAR EASTERN DEPT.

CONSULAR DEPT.

CONFIDENT AL

ALSO ZAZZLED FC 13/13/03:

ENTELED

NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS

Acorn House, 314/320 Gray's Inn Road, London WC ARCHIV-SN Telephone: 01-278 7916

RECEIVED IN

8-MAY 1968

IJO/G

William Rodgers, Esq., MP,

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State,

Foreign Office,

Downing Street,

LONDON. S.T.L.

Dear Mr. Rodgers,

Fe1/42

25th April 1968

Rec. and Ack 26.4. 7. Domment

fo:

A rapideas@.

+213/13/70:

My Council was grateful for your letter of 11th April regarding efforts to obtain access to Mr.Grey as a prelude to his release. It does indeed seem from the news this week that your representations have had some effect for we note that Sir Donald Hopson has been able to visit Mr. Grey.

You will recall that when we discussed this matter with Mr. Brown and yourself the possibility was raised of the Union making some direct representations to try and speed his release. We agreed not to do anything without consultation with the Foreign Office. Do you now think that there is anything we could usefully do?

I am sorry to add to your problems, though I imagine you are also aware of what I am now about to write. This concerns Mr. Eric Gordon, a member of ours, who has been missing in China for nearly six months.

Kr. Gordon, who is a British subject (I think of Jewish origin), aged 36 or 37, went to China with his wife, Mrs. Marie Gordon, a British subject of a Chanese father and English mother, and their son Kim Gordon, aged 12. According to our information the Tamily left Peking on 5th November 1967 for England and have not been heard of since. There is a rumour that they are being "detained" while Mr. Gordon's very extensive notes for a book which he intended writing on the Cultural Revolution in China, are being exhaustively examined. Whether this is so or not I, of course,

not I, of course, have no idea.

I would be grateful for anything the Foreign Office can do to locate the whereabouts of the Gordon family. You will readily understand that the disappearance of a member of ours must be a matter of concern.

Yours sincerely,

H. J. Bradley.

General Secretary.

General Secretary : H. J. Bradley Assistant General Secretary: T. D. Lucy

Dear Sir,

F.E. Dept for draft uply

гору

from the Rodgers please

22, Westbourne Gardeles

D IN

ove

ve,.

Sussex, BN3.5PP

:... 31 26th April, 1968

8-MAI 108

FC 1/42

I should be obliged if you could please let me

me know whether

немец

any his wife,

you

have

of my brother, Eric Gordon, wife, Marie

Marie, and sou

Kim, aged eleven years, yet?

They have

three years, and were due to leave

been in Peking for

The last

received from them was

early in November, 1967.

letter

in October 1967.

Cargoe

get

but there is

Where

They intended to boat from Hong Kong,

record of

them

having crossed the border into Hong Kong

left by boat from Canton or Shaughan, but it is not likely as they intended

leave vine Hong Kong,

possibility that they

ها

νι

and in

I in any

case they would have writter to us. They used to write regularly every week, I they said they would write from trong Kong before getting on a boat. As they have not written, something must be wrong, something must have happened. They were not casual about letters; they liked writing them, and they knew that mother would wo if she did not hear from them

worry

regularly; and they wrote regularly each week until the end of October,

1967.

are afraid that they must have been detained by the Chinese Government.

My other brother, feffrey Gordon, and in-laws, who live in London, have been to the Chinese Embassy,

several times in the last two

the last two months but have been unable to obtain any satisfaction.

My brother, Jeffrey, also went

امه

ما

the Foreign Office

weeks

ago,

feu

and they cubled to the British Chargé D'Affairs Peking asking him to contact the Chinese Foreign Ministry, to try to discover what had happened to Eric, Marie, and Kim; but

was

So,

reply received from the Chinese:

wonder if you have had reply from China recently. ? Thank-you very much indeed.

PS. My brother was

Yours sincerely,

Linda, Gordon (Min)

reporter in

England

and worked in a publishing office China. Do think that the Foreign

you

office could ask the Chinese Government

again,

about

brother and his family?

RECEIVED IN

AKCHIVES NA 3:

En Clair

1/42

4 May 1968

PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Telno 384

UNCLASSIFIED

James F

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 384 af 4 May Repeated for information to Hong Kong

Your telegram No. 421 May: Gordon] Paragraph 2.

Action taken.

Sir D. Hopson

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

F.O. F.E. Dept.

News Dept.

C.0. H.K. Dept.

Consular Dept.

FFFFF

Mr. Jamon

Mr. Myray

byen, beefedential

Reference...

£ LIVED IN AK....... IVES No.3.1 Ak

CHAY 68

FC/42

D. Mppearance of Gordon family

Litt

at Flay, A and 'é

à craft tebgram to

ď alloch ä

Piking anking them

to marke

furtier formak

request for information, craft replies from

Kodgers to the letter

dund

chaft covering

submursion.

Stherland

小

Hary.

143

FM42

CONFIDENTIAL

CY: HER/CAT A

RIORITY

TELNO 426

FOREIGN OFFICE TU FERING

1 MAY 1968

CONFIDENTIAL

(FED)

Jupa 15

ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELNO 426 OF 1 MAY REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO ENG KINH.

YOUR QUARTERLY RETURN OF BRITISH SUBJECTS, PEK/5 OF 8 APRIL1

GORDON.

NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS AS WELL AS THE FAMILY ARE NOW INTERESTED IN CASE.

2. PLEASE MAKE A FURTHER FORMAL REQUEST FOR INFORMATION,

DISI ArThe NTAL LISTRIBUTION

F.U.

F.D.D.

NEWS JAPT.

C.U.

H.K.D.

CONSULAR DSET.

CONFI LENTIAL

FED

Registry No.

F3/42.

Top Secret

Secret

Confidential

Restricted

Open

Draft.

EMERGENCYÊN IMMEDIATE

PRIORITY ROUTINE

with

-priority

*Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should

resth

(Date)

Despatched

without

DEFERRED

[ Security classification

-if any

CONFIDENTIAL

Telegram to:

Peking

[Codeword-if any].

N.........

426.

Address to

PEKING

(Date)...

1.5

telegram No.

406

(date)......

+ MAY

And to:-

HONG KONG

repeated for information to...

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

Repeat to:-

548

Hong/Kong

し

En Clair.

Code

Cypher

Distribution: Departmental F.E.D.

Consular Dept. Hong Kong Dept. News Dept.

Copies to:-

Your quarterly return of British

subjects, PEK/5 of 8 April: Gordon

National Union of Journalists as well

Code

28 [family/now interested in case.

2. Please make a further formal request

for information, about-family's-

whereabouts.

May

11302

115/68

(4535) Wr.45573/46 200m 2/64 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.86).

23.5.

Mr. Samuel

CONFIDENTIAL

Flag D

Call of Chinese Chargé d'Affaires on Mr. Rodgers

24 May at 11 a.m.

Since Mr. Murray's submission of 21 Kay we have learned

of the detention of yet another British subject in China: Captain Roy Vincent Pope of a British ship, the "Fortune Wind" (Hong Kong telegram No. 645). The ship's owners, Continental Navigation and Enterprises Ltd. of Hong Kong, were informed of Captain Pope's detention in Tientsin in telegrams from the vessel's Chief Officer and from their

Chinese agents, Penavico.

2. We have asked our Mission in Peking to approach the

Chinese authorities on Captain Pope's behalf, but have not

yet received a reply. I have amended the Speaking Notes

accordingly.

John Denson

(J. B. Denson) 23 May, 1968

CONFIDENTIAL

HOUSE

COMMONS

From Martin Maddan MP

30th April 1968

Да веж

し

Re:

RECEIVED N ARCHIVES No.31 - 2 MAY 1968

F41/42

Roc. and Ack. 1.5·

FE Department

for draft reply please.

Mr and Mrs Eric Gordon, Peking

Mr S Gordon, of 22 Westbourne Gardens

Hove, has written to me about his son

Eric who is missing in China. I enclose

his letter to me which is self-explanatory.

I am sure you will understand the father's concern, and I should be most grateful for anything you may be able to find out.

With every good wish,

William Rodgers Esq MP

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State The Foreign Office

Downing Street LONDON SW 1

교

altacht

Photostati

eater immediatel

Jendomés

MAH IS

Dear Sir

22, Westbourne Gdns.

Hove,

Sussex, BN3.5PP.

30th April, 1968.

My daughter in writing this I am only partially sighted.

as I are

ate

all &

may

Oshelf

We We have lived in Hove for ten were all born in Manchester.

glish - British Subject.

about

We are all

son, my son,

years.

worried and distressed

appear

very and his family, to be missing in Edina. they are

who

We suspect that being detained. We have not been able to get any news of them, either from the Foreign Office, or from the Chinese Embassy. It has been in the

press, and

News.

the radio and television The Government and the Foreign

Office asked the Chinese Government

son and his family,

about

нау

weeks

ago

адо,

but the

family, a few

they did not receive any

reply from China then, or since then,

My son,

wes

Eric Gordon, his wife Marie, and their son Kim, aged Eleven years, have been in Peking for three years. My son

reporter in England, and worked in publishing office in Piking, -translating. It is wife taught English to pupils who

already knew some English, until the revolution started, and then she had to stop teaching.

во

My son and his family were due to leave Peking

Sve November, 1967. They intended to travel home by Cargor boat of rom Hongkong. The last letter we had from them was 28th October, 1967. But they did not cross the border into toughong,

record of it.

as there is no

other sou

and also in

who lives in London, laws, have visited the

Foreign Office several times divers

the last two months.

ago.

A few weeks

the Foreign Office cabled the British Chargs' D'Affaires in Peking anthorising him to contact the Chinese Imeion Ministry in

attempt to

تنا

discover the exact whereabouts of my and his family. So for no reply has been received from China.

other

son

and in-laws, have also been to the Chinese Embassy several times, but have not been able to get any news or any satisfaction from them.

Peking for

three

We are afraid that my son and his family have been detained by Chinese, as so many others have been. My son, Srie, wrote regularly from

years. He was

He was not casual about letters, he liked writing, and besides he knows his mothers is a worrier, so ke wrote regularly

so she would not worry. The last lotter we had from him, was the 28th October, 1967. There must be something awfully wrong for him to stop writing so suddenly like that. We have not had a letter for six months. Something must have happened. My said he would write from Houghong

before getting

on this boat, but we have not had any letter. He said that, the jimmermany "iny ・gue beat them thangler.

sou Ever

might take six - eight weeks, but com if it had to take longer, say

he would have written to us.

of Ew mouths

sou would not do

I am sure that my anything wrong!

or break any of the Chinese laws and regulations. I am sure hat would not say

he anything against China, or criticise China. He would not knowingly do anything wrong. He always asked permission ofor whatever he wished to do. - If he wished to visit another part of China for a holiday, he would ack permission, and if permission refused, he did not attempt to always obedient.

до

ission was

I am sure he was

He did not criticise China in his letters, or write anything against the Em; and we did not write against Colina in our

fault could be found with our

letters; so

lettos,

if anyour else read them.

In fact, my son often wrote favourably of China. (My wife has kept his letters). Although, naturally, he missed England, and his family and afriends. My son and his family liked living in Raking, and they liked the Chinese people : they would not say or do anything offensive, or insulting,

autagonistic. My

grandion learned to speak the language very well, and fluently, for his

and is, what the choices

do wd

адет

So, ga

against my

SEE how Chinese.

uny

son and his family. I do not son could have offended the If they have detained them,

it must be for nothing, ofor

all.

no reason at

I do not see what reason they

could have.

We are afraid the Chinese must have detained them. We do not see what else could have happened. The thing that could prevent

son from writing, would be that the Chinese

would not let him write:

you

only

We would be most grateful for any help, or advice,

could give regarding my son and his family. We do not know what to do, as the Foreign office, and Chinese Embassy have not been able to help. The Government asked the Chinese Government about my son and his

and his family a few week but received no

reply.- Bo

you

ago,

think the

Government should ask the Chinese again, (-Perhaps it is necessary to ask the Chinese more

-) - Do you

than once

you think

it to the Government.?

you could mention

Thank you very much indeed. With Best Wishes,

Yours Sensorle

PS: -$r