TNAG-0815-FCO40-1021-Visit-of-police-advisers-to-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 46

Mr turray

SECRET

Original at: HKK 010/6 нико10/6

This Copy for:

latermedion only / Action on

HKK 382/1

RECEIVED HI REGISTRY MO. 57 15 AUG 1978

DESK OFICER

INDEX

Action Taken

54

ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE

1.

रह

Sir Hurray MacLehose will be calling on you at 4 pm on Wednesday 16 August to discuss Police matters.

Mr Mecoun and

I will be available and I suggest that ir Thompson should also be present. A representative of the Security Service would be prepared to attend for the Special Branch item but I doubt whether this is necessary. We might have a word.

2.

The following paragraphs cover the points which will need to be discussed together with one matter which need not be discussed at the meeting but of which you should be aware.

3.

Appointment of New Commissioner

This is the most important item on the agenda.

If Mr Slevin

is to retire early next year, as we think desirable, a successor will need to be identified very soon.

it.

The only two candidates in Hong Kong are, as you know,

Neither Ir Henry and Fir lurdon the two Deputy Commissioners.

is ideal. There are reservations as to whether Mr Henry is of the right calibre for the job, although he would be a popular choice with the Force. It is too early to judge fir Furdon's potential. He has proved an immediate success in the management job he was sent to do, but there can be no guarantee that the same would apply if he became Commissioner.

5.

The most promising outside candidate appeared until recently

Constable of the Royal Ulster to be Sir Kenneth Newman, Chief

Constabulary.

The Governor made some informal enquiries after hearing through Sir Colin Woods that Sir Kenneth might be inter-

These came to the notice of the Northern ested in the job. Ireland Office who expressed displeasure, in a letter from Sir Brian Cubbon to the PUS, at what they interpreted as an attempt

/to poach

SECRET