TNAG-0294-FCO40-330-Recruitment-of-officers-from-other-countries-by-Government-o-1971 — Page 15

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Mr Clewley (Hong Kong Dept K 245)

RECRUITMENT OF POLICE INSPECTORS IN RHODESIA AND SOUTH AFRICA

1. I understand your sentiments, but disagree with your conclusions. There are clearly a number of factors which might exclude British citizens from becoming police inspectors in Hong Kong: excessive drunkenness, drug taking, imprisonment for criminal offences, are some examples. Others come readily to mind. It may be that residence in South Africa should be one of them. But is it right to single it out as the particular qualification which should automatically exclude British citizens from applying for jobs with the Hong Kong police? It is not (yet) a criminal offence to visit South Africa or indeed to reside there. By all means let us point out to the Hong Kong Government our view (if such it is) that residing in South Africa is in itself something which ought to disqualify would be applicants for jobs in the Hong Kong police, but it is surely up to the Hong Kong authorities to judge the merits of each case and if they wish to advertise in South Africa pro let them do so.

2.

My recollection is that the recruiting of police in South Africa is not new. Mr Morgan's letter ECOC 5/16 of 6 January 1970 presumably refers to it. Perhaps we should take the early history into account too.

29 September 1971

COPY TO

Mr Mason RPD E 327 Mr Payne RED E 318)

Mr Hicks OPA K 323)

JEC Macrae

Central & Southern African Department E 309 MB 1496

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