6
AIRMAIL
EXPRESS
RECEIVED IN
REGISTRY No.51
-3 JAN 1970
HKK 14/18
L/E
Mr. Gammiara
light...
The time-table is tight
We had better consult with
Dear Bunny,
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CHAMBERS
HONG KONG
Sur A. Grattan-Bellew 31st January,
at an early date.
Prevention of Bribery Bill 1970
(3)
1970.
Thank you for your letter reference HKK 14/38 dated
21st January 1970, and for the memorandum attached to it, which
sets out the F.C.0. comments on the revised Bill.
I attach some notes on the F.C.0. comments, the effect
of which may be summarized by saying that we will amend the Bill
so as to meet all your comments in substance, though necessarily
in detail, except for clause 10.
12205
As I am sure you realized when the Bill was discussed
with the Governor, this is a provision which the government is
very anxious to retain. No doubt one of your concerns is that
Ministers might feel it would be difficult to defend publicly,
though I wonder if this is really so? Surely they can argue,
justifiably, that corruption in Hong Kong is a much greater problem than it is in Britain and that, consequently, tougher measures
are imperative. Would they not, on the contrary, find it difficult
to defend refusing to agree that the Hong Kong government should
be armed with the powers which it insists are essential if corruption
is to be effectively combatted?
The Commissioner of Police believes that the publication of the Bill (which, of course, included an earlier version of
clause 10) has already had the effect of causing the resignation
of a substantial number of police officers whose conduct and mode
of living had given rise to some suspicion.
LAST
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