HKK 010/6
SECRET
Sir Murray MacLehose GBE KCMG KCVO Governor and Commander-in-Chief HONG KONG
Hick Dude. 382/1
RECEIVED IN REGISTIN
(60)
INDEX
9.OCT 1978
ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE: REVIEW OF SPECIAL BRANCH
1. You will recall that we discussed the idea of a review of Special Branch at the meeting which you attended in Donald Murray's office on 16..ugust. You said that you would want to see the pro- posed terms of reference for such a review before committing your- self in any way.
2.
The Security Service think that it would be best to keep the terms of reference short and simple, and have suggested the following:-
"To review the organisation, staffing and equipment of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force Special Branch and to make recommendations".
They have also suggested, in line with past practice, that the resulting report should be submitted directly to you.
3. As you know we think there is a strong case for reviewing the tasks and targetting of Special Branch as well as its organisation and staffing. But all concerned here share what I believe to be your view that a review of what Special Branch should be dong should be kept quite separate from the organisational review, and should be done later. Hence the omission of any reference to targetting in the proposed terms of reference.
4. As I understand it the idea is still that the review should we carried out by two senior officers from, respectively, the Security Service and the Metropolitan Police Special Branch. But the Security Service will not wish to suggest names until the terms of reference have been agreed.
5. The Security Service will do their best to meet your wishes on the timing of the visit. They would like your advice on how long it should last (lichael Macoun thinks that two-three weeks should be sufficient).
6.
I should be grateful for your comments on the proposed terms of reference for this review, its timing and whether any special cover will be needed. On this last point I think you said that Brian Slevin saw no advantage in combining the Special Branch review with Jim Crane's visit (about which I am writing separately to Geoff Bar at Bim Davies' request). This is also the view of those concerned !
bec: Hr Hurray
My Thino II
14-9-78.
RJT McLaren Hong Kong and General De
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