TNAG-0711-FCO40-877-Appointment-of-Chief-Secretary--Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 21

**

4

HOFO #36/30

PP FCO

GR 455

CYPHER/CAT A

100

H. RAD

→KA 431 393/7 431/393/7

R. LIVED

3.bY NO. 51

- 7 APR 1978

*EGISTRY

ction Taken

INDEX

PA

po.

Iple, Ly

H

LAST

(9)

fras file

FM HONG KONG 301149Z

RESTRICTED

STAFF-IN-CONFIDENCE

TO PRIORITY F.C.0 TELNO.392 OF 30 MARCH 78.

M.1.P.T.

NEW COMMISSIONER AGAINST CORRUPTION.

this telegram

forwarded Fearonby

The rop copy of

Mr.

is being

BY POD.

4. 74/78

HARKNETT,

1. I HAVE DISCUSSED THE SUCCESSION WITH MR CATER, THE HEAD OF OPERATIONS DEPT., IS NOT A CANDIDATE, BUT HE CAN BE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE AS HEAD OF OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT AND DEPUTY FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS SO THAT CONTINUITY IN THIS VITAL SECTION OF THE COMMISSION IS GUARANTEED. NOW THAT THE COMMISSION HAS BEEN BUILT UP TO FULL STRENGTH, AND HAS HAD CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS IN REDUCING CORRUPTION(TO ACCEPTABLE LEVELS, THE NEW COMMISSIONER NEEDS TO BE SOMEONE WHO IS NOT SO MUCH A CRUSADER OR INNOVATOR AS SOMEONE WHOSE APPOINTMENT WILL INDICATE THE IMPORTANCE THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHES TO THE COMMISSION'S WORK AND WHO WILL HAVE THE PERSONALITY AND EXPERIENCE TO LEAD THE COMMISSION AND KEEP IT ON THE RAILS. HOPEFULLY, AND WITHOUT CONCEDING ANYTHING, HE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CREATE A BETTER WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE POLICE.

2. MY CANDIDATES ARE 1-

CC: HKA 373/303/4

(A) SIR DONALD LUDDINGTON, NOW CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION, FORMERLY GOVERNOR OF THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

BUT BEFORE THAT SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND PREVIOUSLY COMMISSIONER FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, HE IS A GREATLY RESPECTED AND COMPLETELY FAIR PERSON, AND ALSO A VERY FLUENT CANTONESE SPEAKER. THOUGH PERHAPS A LITTLE SLOW, NE IS