TNAG-0686-FCO40-835-Secondment-of-Deputy-Commissioner-of-Police-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 32

CONFIDENTIAL

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going firm on the appointment of Mr Henry as Rhodesian Police Commissioner in the transition period. The appointment would probably attract critical questioning in the House and outside.

5. Rhodesia Department, who have been consulted, concur with

this recommendation.

7 November 1977

C

f

cc:

PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts PS/Mr Rowlands

PS/PUS

Mr Graham

Mr Mansfield

Mr Laver (Rhodesia Dept)

Mr Stephen (Political Adviser)

Mr Macoun

PPD

зав.

B. Steul

J A B Stewart

Hong Kong & General Department

PS: Since drafting the above we have learnt of the events of the weekend 5-7 November culminating in the enforced grant by the Hong Kong Government of an amnesty to those, mostly police officers, who have been guilty of corruption. It is clear that the Governor and senior officers of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force have consistently failed to assess the low state of morale in the Force and the depth of feeling against ICAC. This, despite the assessment of the Overseas Police Adviser that morale in the Force was low. These latest events reinforce the doubts expressed in my submission above about the practicability of appointing Mr Henry to Rhodesia. Mr Henry is probably the only one who has come out of this affair with any credit but, unfortunately, all members of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force will be regarded as being tarred with the same brush. 'I must now reluctantly recommend that Lord Carver be advised that Mr Henry's appointment would be too vulnerable to criticism in Great Britain.

CONFIDENTIAL

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