CONFIDENTIAL
Conclusion
10.
Official opinion within the FCO has favoured a
change in the law, both because of the situation in Hong Kong,
and because the present rule does have illogical and undesirable
effects. The single case of Superintendent Godber is damaging.
If others took the same refuge in the UK it would be worse. But
the contrary arguments are strong, and it is probable that any
attempt to change the law would be opposed by the Home Office and
the Law Officers.
11.
Lord Goronwy-Roberts will be holding an office
meeting on 18 April to resolve the issue.
17 April 1974
CC
Mr Larmour
Mr Youde
Mr Rushford
Ac Sha
A C Stuart
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept.
and the Law Officers have consistett
dinastic legal punciple
The Home office upheld the issue
against
tthe
J
arguments
May Kuy and
discimin is whether
انتها
The question for
Minister's thile it would be
with while to reopen the question will then
себра
The Watin
CONFIDENTIAL
17/4