SECRET
To Priority Governor Hong Kong
Personal for Acting Governor from Maclehose
Yrtel No.240 to Hong Kong Government Office
1.
Anti-Corruption Unit.
My views and those of Slevin were recorded in a
minute before my departure and I have already approached
Prendergast (copy of my letter to him sent to you by bag).
2.
If latter responds, but I judge him to have run out
of steam, I will look elsewhere during my leave, keeping
you informed.
3.
I should like to keep this in my own hands so,
though I would welcome any ideas that you and Roberts work
out, please make no further moves vis-a-vis Blair-Kerr.
4.
The latter's immediate task is to complete his
report which he undertook to discuss with me in draft
on my return. The prospect of a directorship of an
A.C.Unit could colour his advice albeit unconsciously
both Briggs and I have found him disconcertingly naive
about some aspects of his second report.
5.
I think that s paration of an A.C.Unit from the
Police and the introduction of someone from outside,
whether Prendergast or someone else, would have sufficient
immediate cosmetic effect to hold opinion in Hong Kong and
also the House of Commons but this would boomerang unless
results are achieved quickly. My primary concern about
its
be/effective-
the management of a new unit must therefore be/effective-
Important factors in this will be the drive and
ness.
/expertise..