PANLAL
Foreign and Commonwealth Office London SW1
9s
Dr ACE Cole
Consulting Physician
ODM
Eland House 624
LAST
Rr.
Telephone 01-
Your reference
Our reference
Date
11 September 1974
Dear Dr Cole,
REF.
1
96
I spoke to your secretary this morrfing about the unfortunate case of Mr Howell.
1.
2.
As I think you know, Mr Howell had to come home after only a few days in Hong Kong. The reasons are obscure but it seems clear that he had some sort of mental breakdown or failure of will when confronted with the realities of life and work in Hong Kong. Sir Robert Mark was very concerned about this and sent out Mr Howell's superior officer in the Yard, Commander Morrison, to try to sort matters out. He failed. Mr Howell broke down and wept in the Commissioner's office and said that he must come home.
3.
Originally, by agreement with us, the Hong Kong Govenment tried to confine their explanation to a statement that Mr Howell was returning to the UK for urgent private reasons.
But as explained in a personal telegram from Hong Kong, an extract of which I enclose, this did not hold up. With our agreement and that of Scotland Yard, the statement in para. 3 of Hong Kong's telegram was issued on 9 September. However, even this was not sufficient to dispose of undesirable speculation and the Governor of Hong Kong has since had to arrange for a press conference. As explained in the second telegram extract attached, he has asked that a preliminary psychiatric examination of Mr Howell should be completed in time to allow the Hong Kong Commissioner of Police to refer to its results at the press conference.
4.
In para. 3 of the telegram, the Governor has tried to forecast supplementary questions that might be asked about the sudden nature of his illness. I am not sure that 3(A) is answerable in general terms or indeed that it would be proper for a police officer to attempt to answer it. But 3(B) is a factual question which might indeed be raised. I understand that the most recent official medical examination of Mr Howell was by the ODM before his appointment to Hong Kong. Obviously this will have been primarily a physical examination and it may be necessary to distinguish it from any sort of psychiatric investigation. I would be most grateful for your advice on how the question should be answered and on any supplementary information and advice which we could give to the Hong Kong Government.
CONFIDENTIAL
Yours sincerely
ACSL
A C Stuart
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept.