TNAG-0815-FCO40-1021-Visit-of-police-advisers-to-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 44

808* **7)

OPA/10

Reference

CONFIDENTIAL

Mr RJ T McLaren, HK & GD

(Room K 246)

See

#KK 382/1

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51

9 OCT 1978

ESK OFFICER.

PA-

REGIOTRY

Actam

THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE

1. I found our meeting with Sir Murray McLehose yesterday afternoon generally unsatisfactory and inconclusive.

2. Despite the fact that nearly ten months have elapsed since the near-mutiny of the Hong Kong Police and the patently obvious failure of the command of the Force, no firm decision has yet been reached as to how to proceed in the appointment of a succes- sor to Slevin. The Governor even spoke of retaining his services until March 1979.

Crane, Pain, Henry and,

3. Names of potential candidates surprisingly, Sir Colin Woods were thrown around and, if I understand the position correctly, the Governor will give further consideration to the problem of his return to Hong Kong.

4.

Without questioning the Governor's discretion in the matter, I believe the lobbying of the Home Office, Northern Ireland Office etc. has achieved little other than to disclose the fact that Sir Colin Woods might be a candidate and that Sir Kenneth Newman (despite the Governor's preference) cannot be released.

5. Obviously, if Sir Colin is willing to accept the appointment (and this I doubt at his age), he would be an outstanding candidate. However, allowing for the fact that the Governor appears not to be prepared to consider Henry as a successor (you will recall he asked if I could find him an alternative post if he were superseded and decided to leave the Force), it now looks as if the drift will continue.

6. I also found the Governor's rather petulant reaction to doubts expressed as to the wisdom of appointing retired Army Officers as District Chief Superintendents (Administration), disturbing. Here again, the decision to go ahead seems to be prompted by haste in filling posts which, in any case, are

I believe we should continue to supernumerary to establishment. seek Home Office assistance in selecting two experienced UK Police Officers for these posts as well as that of Chief Superintendent (Discipline and Complaints).

7. As requested, I will, if you agree, ask the Security Service to spell out terms of reference for a Security Intelligence Adviser who will carry out a survey of the competence of Special Branch with the support of a senior Metropolitan Police Special Branch

officer.

CONFIDENTIAL

18. I have