Following Mr Godber's departure from Hong Kong, the
Senior Puisne Judge in Hong Kong, Sir Alastair Blair-Kerr,
was asked first to conduct an urgent inquiry into the
circumstance of Mr Godber's departure; and then secondly
to consider whether any changes in the law or current
arrangements were required. His first report, which was
published in July, contained recommendations for closing
certain loopholes in the law and in security at the airport.
These have been accepted.
The Governor is now urgently
considering a number of further recommendations made.
subsequently by Sir Alastair.
We are of course very concerned about these allegations
of corruption in Hong Kong. But this is a problem which
must be dealt with primarily by the Hong Kong Government.
Tony Royle has, however, had extensive discussions with the
Governor recently about how the problem should be tackled.
DESPATCHED BY MINUTER
TAVVES OFFICE
(Julian Amery)