TNAG-0815-FCO40-1021-Visit-of-police-advisers-to-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 30

SECRET

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(61)

Mr Cortazzi

HKIL 382/1

RECEIVED IN RES

2 3 OCT 1978

DESK OFFIC

INDEX

ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE: SPECIAL FRANCH

150. 51

RF $.RY

Action Taken

1. During my visit to Hong Kong I discussed the question of reviewing the Special Branch in the light of my letter of 14 September to the Governor and his reply of 29 September. The Chief Secretary, the Secretary for Security, the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Special Branch were present in addition to the Governor.

2.

On the organisational review, little more was said than is contained in the Governor's letter. The Commissioner of Police and Director of Special Branch stressed the need for the Security Service to provide a really good man, preferably someone recently retired of Director rank. The Director of Special Branch hoped that the review (which he thought should last about two weeks) could be done in November; if not, his other commitments made it desirable to wait until February. I have spoken to the Security Service since my return. They have a good man in mind and are hopeful that it will be possible to get him out to Hong Kong in November. They see no particular advantage in associating the Metropolitan Police Special Branch with the review.

3. We also discussed the proposed review of the tasks and objectives of the Special Branch. It was suggested that the best way to proceed might be for Hong Kong to produce their own paper, and for this to be sent to the JIC in London for comment. If, as seemed likely, there was a need to discuss the document Hong Kong could send one or two people to London for the purpose.

4. The Director of Special Branch said that the tasks of the Branch were set out each year in the first part of his "Annual Review" (a sensitive document not normally distributed outside Hong Kong). The Governor instructed him to produce a revised version of this in time for it to be sent to London before the end of the year, and undertook to let me know when it would be ready.

5. The proposed procedure seems to me to be fairly satisfactory but you may wish to discuss.

18 October 1978

Cc: Mr Hervey, PUSD 842710

1. Mr Quantnis to see pylase b. u. 15

2.

FALE 23/10

"PLE

119/x

Revandren

R JT McLaren

62A

Hong Kong and General Department

I agree with the procedure proposed.

nor McLaren

SECRET

19/x

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