TNAG-0606-FCO40-754-Monitoring-progress-made-on-planning-papers-on-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 235

CONFIDENTIAL

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AGENDA ITEM 3: ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Independent Commission against Corruption

1.

Lord Goronwy-Roberts asked about the Independent Commission against Corruption. Sir M MacLehose said that over the last 4/5 years Hong Kong had probably devoted more time and effort to fighting corruption than to anything else. He had talked the day before with Sir Robert Mark. Lord Goronwy-Roberts would know that there was a close connection between the Metropolitan Police and the Royal Hong Kong Police Force. Sir Robert, referring to their fights against crime and corruption had said: "At last you've done it". These words had given him, personally great relief. While there was a long way to go, the morale in the Police Force was up,

crime was down and corruption on the way out, and he thought

Lord Goronwy-Roberts would like to know this. Sir M MacLehose said that Hong Kong was over the hump but with a long way to go.

2.

Lord Goronwy-Roberts asked about the drug problem. Sir M MacLehose said that, for a variety of reasons, seizures of drugs had been on a scale larger than ever. Consequently there was pressure on drug addicts to seek treatment at Government clinics. Pressure would be maintained. Lord Goronwy-Roberts said that any further information on progress in the corruption and drug fields would be very useful.

Public Service Matters

3. He then directed the Governor's attention to the case of Mr Madren, in whom an MP had some interest. Mr Madren had been employed by the Hong Kong Government, had apparently performed indifferently, and his contract had been terminated in what Lord Goronwy-Roberts found at first sight an unsatisfactory way.

Mr Galsworthy undertook to send the Governor a personal note of the details of the case which Sir M MacLehose said was entirely new to him. Lord Goronwy-Roberts said he would of course maintain the Hong Kong Government's position unless Hong Kong itself found a mistake had been made. He himself felt that further explanation was necessary.

Distribution

PS

FS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts

PS/Mr Luard

PS/PUS

Mr Cortazzi

Mr Larmour

Mr Stanley

Mr Male

Mr Stewart,

HKD

Mr Samuel, FED

Mr Maud, FRD

Mr Hurst, Overseas Labour Adviser

Mr Smith, Economists Department

Mr Macoun, Overseas Police Adviser Mr Lipsey, Political Adviser HKD (6)

Sir M MacLehose (2)

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CONFIDENTIAL