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THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN RETAINED IN THE DEPARTMENT UNDER SECTION 844) OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT 1968
SPECIAL BRANCH
10. Mr Macoun said that he had discussed this with Mr Slevin and had obtained confirmation that the Security Service and the Metro- politan Police Special Branch would be prepared to help in an inspection.
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Sir Murray MacLehose recalled that the suggestion of an inspection had come from the FCO. He had no objection provided
The Governor secrecy was preserved; a leak could be very damaging. asked to see the proposed terms of reference for the inspection. Mr McLaren said he had detected a slight feeling that the perform-
Whether or ance of the Branch had tailed off a little recently.
not that was so, there was a case for looking at the targeting of the Branch as well as its organisation and administration. Sir Murray MacLehose was not aware of any criticism of the Special Branch performance and suggested that any examination of target- ing might be better left to the JIC. Mr Murray entirely endorsed the Governor's view that the inspection must be carried out dis- creetly and suggested that it might be tacked on to Mr Crane's return visit next year. Sir Murray MacLehose said that Mr Slevin did not think this would be necessary. He would however comment on questions such as cover and timing when he had seen the proposed terms of reference.
RECRUITMENT OF SENIOR OFFICES FROM THE UK
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12. Mr Macoun reported that, although the earlier exercise to recruit senior British police officers had not produced many candidates, Mr Crane still thought it worth carrying out another trawl. Sir Murray MacLehose said he had no objection to this, but since the Force might need to recruit as many as 30 officers,/ should be investigated. Mr Macoun said he had spoken to Mr Slevin burces about the original job description for the two Chief Superintendents ncluding (District Administration) which had been sent from Hong Kong. Mr
Slevin had explained that the functions of the two officers were fficers, to be purely administrative. Mr Macoun felt that this reduced the objection to military officers but wondered why they were suggested rather than policemen. Mr Murray suggested that as a first step
Sir Murray we might trawl for these two Chief Superintendent posts. MacLehose said he was perfectly content that there be a trawl for more police officers but in the case of the two Chief Superintendents the need was too urgent. Army officers would be suitable for these particular jobs. Mr Macoun suggested that resentment might be caused within the force by bringing in Army Officers but Mr Bray thought this was unlikely since it was recognised that there was no chance of filling the posts from within Hong Kong. As he saw it the alternative was to use police candidates turned down during the ear ier selection exercise.
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