TNAG-0523-FCO40-618-Visits-of-members-of-Urban-Council-from-Hong-Kong--to-UK-1975 — Page 129

HONG KONG: CORRUPTION

CONFIDENTIAL

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1.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption has had

an encouraging first year; and it has attracted considerable support from the Hong Kong public after a somewhat cynical reaction

when it was first formed.

2.

As at 14 February the ICAC had made a total of 127 prosecutions, of which 77 had been successful; there had been

23 acquittals and 27 cases were still pending. The staff, which already numbers more than 300, is being further expanded during the current year. More up-to-date information has been requested from Hong Kong for inclusion in the draft reply to the question on ICAC which Lord Brockway has put down for oral answer in the House of Lords on 6 May.

3.

The Governor told Lord Goronwy-Roberts at their meeting on 9 April that he envisaged two very uncomfortable years before the back of Hong Kong's corruption problem could be broken.

He himself was satisfied with the Commission's work and, although it was difficult to be sure, he thought there were grounds for hoping that corruption in some areas was already less prevalent.

Line to Take

4.

Ministers are broadly impressed with the progress made by the Commission during its first year of operation.

(If pressed on the possible appointment of a Royal Commission) Ministers consider that the ICAC should be given a proper opportunity to fulfil its task. It is already showing encouraging results.

CONFIDENTIAL