CONFIDENTIAL
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5.
The Governor's and the Commissioner of Police's assessments of the morale within the Force made during the past twelve months were' incorrect. Mr Macoun's assessment after his recent visit of the low state of morale in the Police was denied both by the Governor and the Commissioner. We have frequently enquired specifically about the state of Police morale and have been consistently assured that morale, after a period of decline, had now recovered. We have for well over a year now been pressing on the Hong Kong Government the desirability for some mechanism for investigating complaints against ICAC but they have consistently denied the necessity for such. This has now been forced on them as a concession to pressure rather than, as it should have been, an initiative by the Government.
6. The Governor had the right to take the action that he has taken. It is a great pity that he did not consult us first but he says that events moved too quickly. It is only he and his advisers who are competent to assess the strength of feeling within the Police Force and the dangers of refusing to deal with them. Any indication now that the Secretary of State has lost any confidence in the Governor would be certain to exacerbate what is clearly still a shaky situation and, although the latest news seems to indicate that the worst is over, we must be very careful not to rock the boat.
7. I recommend that News Department be authorized to say that the Secretary of State supports the actions of the Governor and the Commissioner of Police.
7 November 1977
Cc:
PS/PUS
Mr Cortazzi Mr Stratton
Mr Macoun Mr Stephen Mr Attewell
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J A B Stewart
Hong Kong & General Department
CONFIDENTIAL
Her Costage.
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