CONFIDENTIAL
HKK 026/5
RALEIVLS IN RATE
DESK
INDEX
2 3 AUG 1978
PA
4
No Rasmi CLE
Thi; RECORD OF CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE MINISTER OF STATE--FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSIONER AGAINST CORRUPTION IN HONG KONG HELD AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE ON TUESDAY, 15 AUGUST 1978 AT 4 PM
See (47
Those present:
Right Honourable Lord Goronwy-Roberts of Caernarvon and of Ogwen
Mr J Thompson
Sir Donald Luddington
1. Lord Goronwy-Roberts congratulated Sir Donald on his recent appointment as Independent Commissioner and asked him how he saw the role of Independent Commissioner Against Corruption in the future. Sir Donald Luddington explained that he had only recently taken up the new job and was still finding his feet. He hoped however that in due time, which is likely to be several years away, the Commission could be dispensed with. He believes his main task to be the re-establishment of the confidence of the people of Hong Kong in Government.
2. Lord Goronwy-Roberts expressed his believe in the need to maintain the momentum and impression of progress. He accepted that there could be no revolution in removing corruption in the space of a few years. The practice was deep seated and almost a traditional aspect of life in Hong Kong. Sir Donald Luddington agreed that this had been the case but he believed that the younger generation now growing up in Hong Kong have greater expectations of life and are therefore more amenable to being educated towards a realisation that bribery and corruption need not be endemic. Sir Donald Luddington was particularly gratified that there was now a recognition in Hong Kong that corruption was a problem and one which would not disappear by being kicked
under the carpet.
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