GR 980.
IMMEDIATE
CYPHER/CAT A
FM HONG KONG 2908052
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
RECEIVED IN
REGISTRY NO. 51
TOP COPY
157
29 JUL 1975
WKKIN
TO IMMEDIATE F C O TELNO 742 OF 29 JUL
NFO ROUTINE HONG KONG
GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON (FCO PLEASE PASS).
YOUR TELEGRAMS 576 AND 577
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PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS.
LAPT
SUGGESTED REPLIES:
REL
N
REF.
576 (A) OVER 7,000 REPORTS WERE MADE TO THE OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT OF THE ICAC DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDED 30TH JUNE 1975, OF WHICH 3,408 CONCERNED CORRUPTION (AN INCREASE OF 133% OVER THE 12 MONTHS PERIOD PRECEDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ICAC). THE OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT MADE 191 ARRESTS (AN INCREASE OF 110%) RESULTING IN 121 CONVICTIONS (AN INCREASE OF 64%). IN ADDITION, 23 PEOPLE
ABSCONDED WHILST UNDER INVESTIGATION.
BACKGROUND,
AN IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN THE SUCCESSFUL RECOVERY THROUGH
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OF WEALTH ACQUIRED CORRUPTLY, THERE IS REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS CAUSING INCREASING INSECURITY AMONGST THOSE
WHO HAVE PROFITED IN THE PAST FROM CORRUPT ACTIVITIES AND THOSE
STILL INVOLVED. THE ACTIVITIES OF THE OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT HAVE
ALSO CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF
THE PROBLEMS OF CORRUPTION AND THE DETERMINATION OF THE GOVERNMENT
TO ROOT IT OUT.
576 (B) IN ADDITION TO ITS REPORT CENTRE, WHICH IS MANNED 24 HOURS
A DAY, THE COMMISSION HAS ESTABLISHED A COMMUNITY RELATIONS DEPART-
MENT TO WIN PUBLIC SUPPORT AGAINST CORRUPTION. PUBLICITY AND
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES ARE BEING PROMOTED THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA, THROUGH PERSONAL CONTACTS, AND THROUGH EIGHT PLANNED LIAISON OFFICES,
THE FIRST THREE OF WHICH WILL BE OPENED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
$75 (C) THE REMOVAL OF CORRUPTION OPPORTUNITIES IS ONLY ONE OF THE
FACTORS TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN CONSIDERING ANY CHANGE IN
GAMBLING POLICY. IT IS CONSIDERED WISE TO MOVE CAUTIOUSLY IN A TIME
CONFIDENTIAL
/ OF CHANGING
.