TNAG-0847-FCO40-1057-Visits-of-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-th-1979 — Page 100

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Measures in Hong Kong

5.

The security forces in Hong Kong have stepped up patrols on

the Hong Kong side of the border, making the maximum possible use

of the available garrison, of the Hong Kong police force and of

local volunteers. As a result the ratio of those arrested to those

who evade capture has improved from 1:3 or 4 to 1:2 in recent

months.

6. The Chinese authorities have suggested that the Hong Kong

Government ought to repatriate illegals who evade capture and

surface later.

This would be undesirable because it would drive

illegals underground and create enormous problems of corruption,

exploitation etc.

7. Consideration has been given to the possibility of imposing

controls on legal immigrants. This would be very unwelcome to the

Chinese Government, who consider that their nationals have a

traditional right of free movement to Hong Kong (which they regard

as Chinese territory). The idea has not been pursued while the

figures appear to be moving in the right direction.

3. REINFORCEMENT OF HONG KONG

1. Securing the frontiers of Hong Kong is the responsibility of

the Royal Hong Kong Police Force, supported by the garrison. The

police have now committed 20% of their resources to this task: to

do more would endanger internal security. The Governor has asked

the Commander, British Forces, Hong Kong, to undertake increased

tasks, and the latter has therefore asked for additional land, sea

and air forces. The Ministry of Defence have confirmed that to

make the necessary resources available would involve penalties to

other commitments. In the MOD's judgement, these penalties would

CONFIDENTIAL

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