TNAG-0405-FCO40-451-Allegations-of-bribery-and-corruption-in-the-Hong-Kong-polic-1973 — Page 125

1,

2/

impartiality, his truthfulness. I am the foundation for the specific allegations made and Mr Macoun's apparent omission to grasp this fact and act vigorously upon it is not, in the official conduct of Hongkong affairs, in the least surprising.

With regard to the general allegation of corruption and your belief that the Hongkong Government is tackling this problem "vigorously" you may wish to be advised, again, that the matter of the HK$500 offered to me as a retainer in my Kowloon station in October 1962 still has not been the subject of a genuine investigation. I have never been invited to make an official statement about it nor have I been officially questioned about it. By no stretch of the imagination could even I regard this approach as indicative of "vigorous" action against organised graft. Moreover, a claim of "vigorous" tackling of the problem of organised graft in Hongkong might better be appreciated if the questions of projection contained in my China Mail article of 28 March 1973 were the subject of genuine inquiry.

Arriving by the same post as your letter was another, from a serving police officer in Hongkong whose integrity and judgment I have never questioned in the decade we have known each other. Here I quote from his letter because I believe our experience of Hongkong affairs at ground level and over a considerable period might be regarded as of more substance and value than some of the judgments of Kipling- esque "Pagett MP"s and officials who speak of their "Eastern trips" and because (if you are prepared to accept that it is not just another foundationless fabrication to be dismissed in deference to more acceptable and less troublesome communications from the Hongkong Government) it may indicate to you the side of the coin not presented to you by your representatives in Hongkong:-

II

HONGKONG 15 MAY1973

The changes in Hongkong have been phenomenal since you were last here (1969). The arrival of a new Governor who is not a colonial administrator but a diplomat has meant many changes for the better. Much of the dead wood which has been lying around for years has passed on or been made to pass on. Instead of negative influences the wind of positive changes has begun to blow through the thick dust and muck of the administration here.

Even the Police Force has benefitted thanks in no small measure to the efforts of Sutcliffe, who must be the most unpopular Commissioner of Police ever, to hear some of the narrow minded, lazy dead beats here talk about him. His efforts have taken their toll and he looks a tired man. He has earned his retirement.

Whether he has got corruption on the run is something I am a bit dubious about. I rather think that it is as rife as ever.

However, there has been at least one Superintendent who has had to explain the origin of his wealth, so maybe the barrier which used to keep corrupt practices among the Inspectorate and other ranks of the Force has now been breached. Whether or not prosecution results, the warning is plain to see. Maybe it will curb corruption or maybe it will just make those involved in corrupt practices ensure that the loopholes are covered more successfully. "

?

...OVER/