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We now have to decide how to announce our decision in a way that will cause minimum controversy. On this we would be glad of your advice. Presumably the decision will be badly received in Hong Kong, partic- ularly since, as a result of the advice in your telegram no. 1180 of 15 October, 1973, with which we agreed, it will have to be joined with the announcement that we cannot return Godber. But
But I do not think there is anything to be gained by delay. There would obviously be advantage in getting any row out of the way well before the Prime Minister's visit, whenever this may now be. If you think it would be best to tell ExCo first, we will send a telegram in the non-personal series to you and to the other Governors whom we have consulted. We could also perhaps inspire a Parliament- ary Question here. But unless you think it essential to demonstrate in this way that you have had no hand in the decision, it might be better to let it percolate
In through with as few public statements as possible. any event I think we should stress the point that you made in your LegCo speech, that the remedy lies in the hands of those people in Hong Kong who could come forward and give evidence of a returnable offence. Also, if you thought it would help to minimise critic- ism that we are simply looking after our own people, we could emphasise the strong Parliamentary and public feeling on the principle which lies behind the double- criminality rule.
Yours ever, Fela
Peter Blaker
Sir Murray MacLehose, K.C.M.G., M.B.E Governor and Commander-in-Chief,
Hong Kong.
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CONFIDENTIAL AND PERSONAL