Novice Fanful Thom
amand
877/12.
HKGD.
W 82
Surely this should have bed graded "Confidential
CORD OF A MEETING BETWEEN THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY AND THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG HELD IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ON WEDNESDAY, 30 NOVEMBER, AT 5.30 P.M.
See 185
6 fai
Present:
The Rt Hon Dr David Owen MP
Mr E AJ Fergusson
M JAB Stewart
Sir Murray MacLehose
1.
He said
Sir Murray MacLehose gave a brief run-down on the events leading to the recent disturbances caused by the Hong Kong police and explained the reasons for this breakdown in discipline. that the professional efficiency of the Force was perhaps at its highest level ever as was its professional and operating confidence. However, the operations of ICAC, coupled with the breakdown in communication between the senior and junior ranks of the Force, had caused a severe drop in morale. He went on to explain his plans for curing this situation. He had approached HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary and was proposing that a team from HM Inspectorate should visit Hong Kong and work together with a special team from the Hong Kong police to reorganize the staff relations inside the Force.
2. Sir Murray MacLehose emphasized that before the amnesty was amounced there was considerable public sympathy for the police and a feeling that the operations of ICAC were too severe. The partial amnesty granted had almost total support from the Chinese population and the attempt by the police to reject this partial amnesty was unanimously opposed by them. The welling up of public
feeling over this affair had been unique and surprising.
3.. Sir Murray MacLehose said that he was sorry that it had not been possible to consult with the Secretary of State before he announced the amnesty. His decision had finally been taken only about an hour before the announcement and, in his judgement, there would have been a risk of a breakdown of law and order and looting if he had postponed the announcement and if the police had failed to maintain law and order.
4. Dr Owen said that he personally was against giving in to this type of pressure. However, he did not believe in backseat driving. Very considerable powers had been devolved on the Governor of Hong Kong and, that being so, he would always support the Governor's actions. Lord Goronwy-Roberts, who knew much more about the subject tha ho, was fully satisfied with what the Governor had done. 11e himself accepted that Hong Kong was sui generis and a very difficult problem. Police corruption was a particularly difficult issue in that once it had a foothold in a Force, there was a tendency for it to become all pervasive. He asked the Governor about Mr Cater's assurance that there were not now any major syndicates operating in the Force.