108
KK382/K.
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ATTATCHED
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Original st: HK442/393/4
The Copy for:
Mr Murray
} Parc(8)
Information only/Action on
PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts
HONG KONG: YAU MA TEI CASES
HKA 4451393/1. HKAGAST
- 7 APL 1978
PA
39. $1
க் LISTRY
Clien Taken
No bu as
1. On Friday, 7 April, the Government of Hong Kong will announce that 26 Police and Customs Officers have been summonsed to answer charges in connection with the so-called "Yau Ma Tei fruit market" corruption case. At the same time it will be announced that a further 119 officers are being retired under Colonial Regulation 55 (which, the Minister will recall, allows the Secretary of State to signify to colonial officials the pleasure of the Crown that they should no longer hold office, without having to give any reasons for his action). Since the announcement (which is to be made at 10.00 a.m. Hong Kong time, 3.00 a.m. UK time) makes clear that the decision to use CR55 was taken by the Secretary of State, it is possible that we shall also receive press enquiries here
in London.
2. I attach copies of the press release and guidance notes for press enquiries which are to be used in Hong Kong: these were, of course, cleared with us and the attached texts incorporate the amendments we suggested to the original drafts and a number of subsequent minor amendments made by the Hong Kong Government.
3. I recommend that if we are asked about the role of the Secretary of State we should confirm that in each case where CR55 is being used, the papers were carefully studied in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. In each case a report was submitted to the Secretary of State, who decided that it was not in the public interest for the officers concerned to continue to hold office. Since CR55 does not require any explanations to be given, we should decline to be drawn any further. Any other enquiries about any other aspects of the Yau Ma Tei case should be referred to the Hong Kong Government.
5 April 1978
001
Mr Cortazzi OPA
News Dept
SECRET
WE Quantrill
Hong Kong & General Dept
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