Mr Wilford
CONFIDENTIAL
HICKIN
173
(157)
149
15
GODBER AND THE 1967 FUGITIVE OFFENDERS ACT
1.
The Hong Kong Federation of Students have written to the
Prime Minister forwarding a letter published in the South China
Morning Post of 16 August which suggests that a way out of the
Godber dilemma could be found by way of amendment to the
Fugitive Offenders Act 1967. This suggestion was also taken up
by two MPs who recently visited Hong Kong, who are reported as
saying that they would be prepared to support such amendments
to the Fugitive Offenders Act as would be necessary to permit
the return of Mr Godber to Hong Kong. Sir Alastair Blair-Kerr
has also recommended that the Act should be amended in the
second part of his Inquiry Report which may be published before
the end of September (Hong Kong Tel No 988). The question of
amendment to the Act is dealt with in Mr Stuart's submission
of 29 August (attached). At Mr Royle's request advice on the
point is now being sought by our Legal Advisers from the Attorney
General's department; and also from the Home Office. We shall
be discussing the matter with the Governor on 11 September.
2.
-
There is growing public feeling in Hong Kong and to some
extent in this country that Mr Godber has not been sent back
because HMG do not want to send him. A forthcoming reply to
the Hong Kong Federation of Students may help to convince them
that we are concerned to find a way to enable Mr Godber to be
returned to Hong Kong. It would, however, run the risk of being
CONFIDENTIAL
/made