1
Mr Turray
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Original at: HKK 010/6
This Copy for:
Information only Action on Para(s)
ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE
1.
HKK 051/1
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY MO. 51 15 AUG 1978
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
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Action Tahun
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Sir Murray MacLehose will be calling on you at 4 pm on Wednesday 16 August to discuss Police matters. Mr Macoun and I will be available and I suggest that Mr Thompson should also be present. A representative of the Security Service would be prepared to attend for the Special Branch item but I doubt whether this is necessary. We might have a word.
2. The following paragraphs cover the points which will need to be discussed together with one matter which need not be discussed at the meeting but of which you should be aware.
3.
Appointment of New Commissioner
This is the most important item on the agenda. If Mr Slevin is to retire early next year, as we think desirable, a successor will need to be identified very soon.
The only two candidates in Hong Kong are, as you know, fir Henry and Fir Furdon the two Deputy Commissioners. Neither is ideal. There are reservations as to whether Mr Henry is of the right calibre for the job, although he would be a popular choice with the Force. It is too early to judge fir Furdon's potential. He has proved an immediate success in the managenent job he was sent to do, but there can be no guarantee that the same would apply if he became Commissioner.
5. The most promising outside candidate appeared until recently to be Sir Kenneth Newman, Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. The Governor made some informal enquiries after hearing through Sir Colin Woods that Sir Kenneth might be inter ested in the job. These came to the notice of the Northern Ireland Office who expressed displeasure, in a letter from Sir Brian Cubbon to the PUS, at what they interpreted as an attempt
/to poach
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