CONFIDENTIAL
(3)
those opponents can be expected to brief sympathisers
in this country, and such sympathisers are likely
to be proportionately more numerous than those who
would support them in Hong Kong itself. These
sympathisers can be expected to raise the matter
with Ministers either in Parliament or by deputations,
e.g. from Justice or both. The pressure may well be
comparatively severe.
Rejecting his proposal
(1)
(2)
It will be public property in Hong Kong that
excisions in the Bill will have been made on the
insistence of Ministers here.
There will be strong criticism from Unofficial
Members of Council and the general public on the
grounds that H.M.G. are unreasonable refusing to
allow Hong Kong to tackle corruption in a comprehen-
sive way.
This will intensify existing resentment
and "British interference" in Hong Kong's affairs,
it being argued that the Bill has passed the full
rigour of public scrutiny in the Colony.
(3)
Public servants and the public
-
at any rate those
members of the public who are inclined to bribe
public servants will conclude that H.M.G. do not
*
after all regard corruption as a particularly
serious matter, and corrupt practices can be expected
to spread still further.
CONFIDENTIAL
/(4)...