CONFIDENTIAL
(b) Law and Order
The declining state of morale in the Royal Hong Kong Police since the setting up three years ago of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) recently culminated in a series of protest meetings, marches and demonstrations.
One quarter of police rank and file actively participated in these demonstrations and over three-quarters signed the
petition that was sent to the Police Commissioner. Faced
with the Commissioner of Police's estimate that he could not
rely on the Force accepting orders to act against dissident
police officers, the Governor announced an amnesty from ICAC investigations in respect of all offences committed prior to
1 January 1977, with certain exceptions (i.e. where an accused had been interviewed or charged). This decision was
made in the belief that no major corruption syndicates were still active in the public service. The amnesty had the
effect of relieving the uncertainty of the great majority of police; militants who tried to press for further concessions found that the widespread support they enjoyed before the amnesty had disappeared and an amendment to the Police
Ordinance to allow the Commissioner to dismiss summarily any
officer who disobeyed orders was widely welcomed. The Government now appear to have the situation under control.
Such evidence as we have seen suggests that the Chinese
Government support the line taken by the Hong Kong Govern-
ment and that there is no other group in Hong Kong who see any advantage in trying to exploit the situation. The latest assessment made in London, therefore, is that there
is now no immediate threat to stability in the Colony. The Secretary of State may wish to confirm that this is also the Governor's current view. At the same time the Secretary of
State may wish to express our concern that the Governor
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CONFIDENTI AL
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