TNAG-0416-FCO40-462-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 164

E.R.

5

strenuously denied the allegations that have been made from time to time recently from unofficial sources that Hong Kong officials have not been helpful, but they no doubt feel that it would be helpful to involve the United Kingdom in some way if they can in case such difficulties arose. judge from Commissioner Rolph's reports that he wishes to be as forthcoming with the Americans as possible.

I

The question of a counterpart to Ingersoll to represent the UK is difficult. Ingersoll is a law enforcement officer who is now, as Head of the BNDD, an administrator; he is also the American representative on the United Nations Narcotics Commission; he will undoubtedly be supported in Hong Kong by Customs officials. We have no equivalent counterpart. I suppose that as Head of the Home Office Drugs Branch and the United Kingdom representative on the Narcotics Commission, I get as close as anybody. If therefore you decide that the United Kingdom should participate in the proposed meeting, consideration might be given to my representing the United Kingdom; there would be the advantage that I am personally acquainted with Ingersoll and have hitherto got on reasonably well with him. On the other hand, the issues to be discussed are essentially issues of practical law enforcement and the United Kingdom We ought would need to make a positive and sensible contribution on them. therefore to consider the possibility of sending a delegation which included expert law enforcement agents both in the police and Customs field (two senior police and customs officers visited Hong Kong at the end of last year and have been able to form some assessment of the position there and of the problems). I should stress, however, that whether this is the right kind of balance of representation or whether I myself or other officers could be made available is certainly not for me to decide.

I am sending a copy of this letter and enclosure to Wenban-Smith in your United Nations Department.

Yours sincerely

Train

C J TRAIN

cc Mr Wenban-Smith