CONFIDENTIAL
10
10.
224
Mr Youde
Mr Gu
aupt 6-
ہتا
Two amendments agoud with Mr Stamnt.
FUGITIVE OFFENDERS ACT
(224)
(244)
&
10/10
(239)
1. Mr Eric Ogden, Labour MP for Liverpool West Derby, has
written to Mr Royle seeking his views on the possibility of
introducing a Private Member's Bill to allow for extradition
to Hong Kong of United Kingdom citizens charged with offences
in Hong Kong.
2.
The Blair-Kerr Report is to be published on 10 October
and the Governor will make his public comments on it on the
17th. Mr Ogden is likely to receive his reply between these
two dates. We do not want to reveal our answer to the Governor
prematurely. On the other hand we need to prepare the ground
for explanations which will have to follow of why we cannot
change the law to catch Mr Godber (while leaving on one side
the wider question of a possible non-retrospective change on
general grounds, which we are still examining). It is likely
1. Godber
that people like Mr Ogden, who is critical of the situation in
Hong Kong, would, if they understood the position correctly,
be among the first to object to any proposal to return people.
to face trial under Section 10 of the Prevention of Bribery
Ordinance.
3. I submit a draft letter to Mr Ogden which has been agreed
by our departmental legal advisers.
10 October 1973
ACSE
A C Stuart
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department
CONFIDENTIAL
/Copy to: