TNAG-0493-FCO40-558-Establishment-of-Anti-Corruption-Commission-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 51

CONFIDENTIAL

Foreign and Commonwealth Office London SW1

Telephone 01-

TC Platt Esq

Police Dept.

Home Office

Horseferry House

Dean Ryle St

Your reference

Our reference H14/4

Date

14 May 1974

1

cas Plan,

ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION, HONG KONG

1.

LACT

REF

NEX.

جاتها

REF.

54

I attach a copy of a self-explanatory telegram

to me from Mr Prendergast, the Director of Operations of the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

2.

In a preliminary discussion with Commander Anning after his return from Hong Kong, he told me that he was recommending in his report the recruitment of a number of officers from the UK to do case work within the Commission. At the time he thought that the Governor intended to rely on local resources within Hong Kong. But Mr Prendergast's telegram shows that, if this ever was the Governor's intention, it has now changed. Since receiving Mr Prendergast's telegram I have had another word with Commander Anning. He has expressed his personal willingness to help as suggested, but has rightly pointed out that a decision to allow him to do so and to provide the further help which Mr Prendergast is seeking, must come from the Home Office and from the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police.

3.

I would be very grateful if you could give this your early consideration and could let me know whether you and Sir Robert Mark, to whom I am copying this letter, could authorise the proposed action. Mr Prendergast rightly stresses the urgency of this; and I would like, if possible, to send him a reply by telegram within the next week or so.

сс

Sir Robert Mark QPM

Commissioner of Metropolitan Police Scotland Yard

Broadway

SW1

cc (blind)

Mr S T Kidd, Hong Kong Govt. Office Overseas Police Adviser, FCO

Your simul Andrew Stand

A C Stuart

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept.

A

r

CONFIDENTIAL

I