TNAG-0687-FCO40-836-Disturbances-by-police-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 217

CONFIDENTIAL STAFF IN CONFIDENCE

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HKK 382/16. RAJals

777

7

Mr Murray

HONG KONG: CORRUPTION

1. During my recent visit to Hong Kong I discussed with Mr Cater, the Commissioner of ICAC, the present state of the campaign against corruption in the public service. I also talked with Ir Roy Henry, Acting Commissioner of Police, on the same subject. In general, Er Henry confirmed what Mr Cater told

me.

2. According to Ir Cater his prediction that 1977 would make or break the campaign against corruption has proved true. He, Cater, now believes that there are no major corruption syndicates active either in the Royal Hong Kong Police Force or in the public sector generally. He said that by the autumn of 1978 the activities of his Commission should have reached a routine stage and hinted that at about that time he might think of retiring.

3. We discussed this and you suggested that if there were to be a change in the Governorship in 1978 this would not be a suitable time for Mr Cater to retire. If you agree, I shall include this as one of the subjects to be discussed during the Governor's next visit to the Office in November.

4. I also raised with Mr Cater the problem of the appointment of a person or Committee to provide Appeal and Review machinery in respect of ICAC's operations. You will remember that I discussed this at some length during my visit to Hong Kong in March. I was told that arrangements were in train to reconstitute the Advisory Committee on Corruption in such a way that this could operate as an Appeal and Review body (this was one of my suggestions to Messrs Cater and Bridge during our earlier discussions). The Hong Kong Government hope to address us on this subject in the near future.

1 November 1977

CC:

PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts

Mr Macoun

JA

Stewart

Hong Kong & General Department

Good.

I have

reservations about para 2,

Sid

3

welcome

para

4.

But what

agree

para

CONFIDENTIAL

STAFF IN CONFIDENCE

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