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4.
The Governor said that Sir Colin Woods' name was well known in Hong Kong and he would not face the same initial difficulties as other outside candidates. His competence was not in question and the Home Office thought that he might accept the job if it were offered. On the other hand he might, at 58, be a little too old.
5. Mr Macoun thought that Sir Colin Woods was the best candidate. Mr Henry might be better than the other outside candidates if only because he was known and liked by the Force as a whole. Sir Murray MacLehose agreed that Mr Henry was liked but wondered whether he was trusted. Part of the trouble experienced by the Force had been due to a lack of trust of senior officers. Mr Henry would represent continuity but he was not sure that that was necessarily what was needed. Mr Murray wondered whether the public at large in Hong Kong would have confidence in Mr Henry. Sir Murray MacLehose believed that Mr Henry's appointment would be accepted in Hong Kong but he would not be seen as the man to tackle fundamental problems.
6. Turning to Mr Crane, the Governor said that he had the advantage of being known in Hong Kong. He had created a good impression when carrying out his recent review of the Force and was therefore a definite possibility. He was however, a little old and not an obvious leader. Mr Murray wondered whether Mr Crane might not be more useful to Hong Kong in his present role as adviser and troubleshooter. He also asked whether the plan that Mr Crane should return next year to follow up this year's review made him a non-runner. Sir Murray MacLehose thought that Mr Crane should not be ruled out on this account.
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7. Mr Murray thought that any outside candidate would have to be a man of standing. From this point of view Sir Colin Woods seemed ideal Sir Murray MacLehose agreed, despite the problem of Sir Colin's age and also his slightly devious character. was highly articulate with a well developed political sense. Mr Macoun confirmed that Sir Colin had a very high reputation. He also had a very wide experience of different aspects of police work.
9. Summing up the discussion, Sir Murray MacLehose accepted that Sir Kenneth Newman, although probably an outstanding candidate, would have to be excluded from the field. He recognised the politi- cal reasons why this was so, although he registered his strong dis- appointment that the FCO had not felt able to press the Hong Kong case. The other candidates mentioned were all possible and he would not rule out any of them at this stage. He would consider the question further on his return to Hong Kong and would then make a recommendation. He would do so as soon as possible: it was important to end the present uncertainty.about the succession.
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