TNAG-0549-FCO40-644-Allegations-of-corruption-and-bribery-in-Hong-Kong-police-an-1975 — Page 6

CONFIDENTIAL

Sir D Wats

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PS/Lord Goronwy Roberts

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MP'S LETTER: CORRUPTION IN HONG KONG

1.

Mr James Johnson MP (Labour, Kingston-on-Hull W) has written to the Secretary of State enclosing correspondence from Mrs Elsie Elliott in Hong Kong.

2.

Mrs Elliott is particularly concerned about a recent murder investigation in Hong Kong, and the reasons why it was discontinued. She alleges malpractices within both the Legal Department and the Police. On the face of it this looks like a case (which is unfortunate- ly not unknown in the UK) of the police being over-anxious to obtain a conviction. But we cannot comment substantively until we have the facts. I have referred the matter to Hong Kong, and I suggest that Lord Goronwy-Roberts should tell Mr Johnson that he will write fully when we have Hong Kong's reply. It is incidentally interesting that Mrs Elliott is apparently in direct touch with the authors of "Hong Kong: A Case to Answer" and has copied her letter to them.

3.

Mr Johnson also says that he would like to call on Lord Goronwy-Roberts, and has since written separately to Lord Goronwy- Roberts on the same point. I understand from Lord Goronwy-Roberts's Private Secretary that it has now been arranged that the Minister will see Mr Johnson at 11.00 a.m. on 12 February. Mr Dinwiddy of HKIOD will attend the call.

4.

Mr Johnson has long been an advocate of limited constitutional advance in Hong Kong: he suggested last year, after his own visit to the Colony, that a form of indirect elected representation on the Legislative Council might be introduced by which a proportion of LegCo's unofficial membership would be filled by the appointment of elected members of the Urban Council. It is probable, therefore, that he now wishes to take up this subject again, in addition to enquiring about Lord Goronwy-Roberts's general impressions following his visit.

CONFIDENTIAL

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