TNAG-0687-FCO40-836-Disturbances-by-police-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 51

60

PS 210

IMMEDIATE

CYPHER CAT A

FM FCQ 171535Z

SECRET

SECRET

HKK. 382/16,

TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TELNO 880 OF 17 NOV 77.

FOR GOVERNOR ONLY FROM STEWART,

YOUR TELNO 1136.

1. WE TOO HAVE BEEN GIVING THOUGHT SINCE THE EVENTS OF

28 OCTOBER AND 5 NOVEMBER TO THE PROBLEMS OF MORALE AND

LACK OF COMMUNICATION IN THE POLICE FORCE. THESE WERE SET

OUT AT SOME LENGTH IN MACOUN'S REPORT OF 21 JANUARY 1977.

2. WE AGREE THAT THE IMMEDIATE NEED IS TO APPOINT A SPECIAL

ADVISER TO THE FORCE, HOWEVER, WE BELIEVE IN ADDITION ΤΟ DISTINCTION, THE VITAL QUALIFICATIONS ARE PROVEN AND SUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCE IN MANAGEMENT AND STAFF RELATIONS.

3. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS MOST UNLIKELY THAT SIR ROBERT MARK

WOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE UP AN OFFER TO GO TO HONG KONG FOR A

YEAR. FURTHERMORE, THE WIDELY REPORTED CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS RETIREMENT WERE SUCH THAT IT IS UNLIKELY THAT HIS APPOINTMENT

WOULD BE GREETED WITH APPROBATION HERE.

4. I SUGGEST THAT THE BEST COURSE IS AN IMMEDIATE APPROACH

TO HM CHIEF INSPECTOR OF CONSTABULARY WITH A REQUEST THAT HE

CONSIDER THE SECONDMENT FOR A YEAR OF ONE OF HIS SERVING INSPECTORS

GF CONSTABULARY WITH THE ABOVE QUALIFICATIONS,

OWEN. FILES

11K7GD

(5)

PS/LORD GOR ON WYROBERTS

SECRET