TNAG-0687-FCO40-836-Disturbances-by-police-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 173

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HKK 382/16

REL

CONFIDENTIAL

No

له

P.Ajde

22

Secretary of State

HONG KONG: POLICE AFFAIRS

1.

Lord Goronwy-Roberts has directed me to prepare an additional submissi his discussion of my original submission;attached.

2.

3.

on

It was decided:

(a) that a telegram be submitted for approval endorsing the Governor's action in extending partial amnesty and expressing full support for himself and for the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption; this telegram to be classified at such a low level that he could feel free to leak it in Hong Kong;

(b) that a second telegram be submitted Personal to the Governor suggesting that although we appreciated his difficulties we would have liked to have had sufficient notice of the action he proposed to take so that we might comment on it and encourage the Governor, if there are any further developments in the Police affair, to get in touch with the Office at any time;

(c) to submit for the Secretary of State's agreement a line to be used by News Department in response to enquiries from the

press.

I recommend that News Department be authorized to say the following

in reply to queries.

4.

"The Secretary of State deplores the actions taken by a small proportion of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force and endorses the

"It questioned on this point:_ action taken by the Governor of Hong Kong.ne

The Governor did

not consult the Secretary of State before he took this action because events had moved too quickly for him to do so and, a, the Governor, by his terms of office, had the right to take this decision on his own.

1.")

I submit two draft telegrams.

7 November 1977

CONFIDENTIAL

B. Lau

A B Stewart

Hong Kong & General Dept

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