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Thursday, October 22, 1970
This clause made it an offence for them to solicit any advantage
unless they had the general or special permission of the Governor to do so.
Mr. Roberts said "advantage" in the sense of the Bill was defined
in wide terms to include any gift, loan, entertainment, favour, benefit, or
service of any description. It would be an offence for a Crown servant to
accept a dinner from a friend -unloss such acceptance were permitted by
the terms of a general or special permission from the Governor.
Establishment regulations already existed allowing Crown servants
to accept presents, gifts, and advantages of various kinds. These regulations
would be used as a basis for the general permission to be issued by the
Governor as a circular, and until it was issued, the Bill would not be
brought into force.
Social Activities
Apart from the circular, giving permission in genoral terms, it
would always be open to a Crown servant to seek the special permission of
the Governor to receive any advantage if he was doubtful about the propriety
of so doing.
Mr. Roberts assured Crown servants, anxious lost this clause unduly
restricted their social or official life, it was intended the terms of the
circular would be such as to permit acceptance of any advantages of a persohal ersohal
or social nature, unconnected with their duties.
The Government did not wish to interfere with innocent social
activities, but only with the conferring or receipt of advantages when
these were related in an improper way to a Crown servant's official position.
/He said
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