hr Qreytill 25/12.
In Thinks
P.Ajal
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SW1A 2AH
2 December 1977
From The Minister of State
THE RT HON THE LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS
Dear Stan,
HKK 386/1 -51
ملد
A
In my letter of 24 October I promised to write again, when I had heard from Hong Kong, with a full answer to the points made to you by Mro Elsio Elliott.
As you will realise, counter-narcotico operations are often time-consuming and usually very sensitive. For these reasons it was not possible for the letter sent to Mrs Elliott in 1974 to be more explicit although it was factually correct. The Ma Brothers were already under Narcotics Bureau investigation at the time. But it is only recently that sufficient evidence has come to light for charges to be laid against Ma Sik-Chun. His brother is currently in detention in Taiwan.
The "Mr Big" referred to by Mrs Elliott in her letter to Mr Rumbelow in 1974 was one Ng Sik-ho, who is currently serving a 30 year prison sentence. He is still regarded as the most important individual criminal to have faced charges, certainly more so than any of the Ma group.
There has indeed been some speculation that Mr Norman Temple has provided advice on triads; but Scotland Yard have recently denied that it is true.
I am certainly not satisfied that drug trafficking in Hong Kong has been eradicated. I do believe however that important steps have been taken and I am determined, and the Hong Kong Government are determined, that every effort to stop this abuse will continue to be made.
As mentioned above, counter-narcotics work can be very sensitive, and certain of the subjects touched on in this letter are the subject of current legal proceedings. I should be grateful therefore, if, in your reply to Mrs Elliott, you would ask her to treat the information in this letter with due discretion.
Ever
ツ
Stan Newens Esq MP
House of Commons
LONDON SWLA OAA