TNAG-0813-FCO40-1018-Allegations-of-bribery-and-corruption-in-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 45

CODE 18-77

Reference

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RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51

27 SEP 1978

..77

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HONG KONG, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS

DESK OFFICER INDEX

REGIOTRY

PA

Action

zen

1. Mr MacDonald called to see me this morning for a general talk. I took the opportunity to ask him about corruption in his Department. How extensive was it, and what action was being taken to combat it? Mr MacDonald said that there was a special section of ICAC which concentrated on PWD. Their investigations had led to some convictions, and he had been a little surprised that more cases had not been unearthed. But he had no doubt that the existence of ICAC acted as a powerful deterrent.

2. I was impressed by what Mr Mac Donald had to say about the measures now being taken to reduce the opportunities for corruption and make it easier to detect. He described new procedures for handling applications for building licences, granting certificates of occupation and so on. The general intention is to eliminate blockages in the system and pin- point responsibility for decisions at all stages.

26 September 1978

fun

R JT McLaren

Hong Kong and General Department

CC:

Mr Murray

Mr Thompson

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