CONFIDENTIAĻ
3.
SUPPLEMENTARY G. WE SHOULD LIKE THE FINAL SENTENCE TO READ AS.
FOLLOWS:-
" THE COMMISSION IS STILL IN ITS FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION,
IT IS DOING AN EXTERMELY GOOD JOB AND IT SHOULD BE ALLOWED A PROPER
OPPORTUNITY TO FULFIL ITS TASK.''.
9. SUPPLEMENTARY H. NO COMMENT.
19. SUPPLEMENTARY 1. WE SUGGEST THE FOLLOWING:-
''MR. ELLIS HAS RECENTLY PROVIDED A STATEMENT TO THE
COMMISSION, WHICH IS NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION.''.
11.
WE THINK THE FOLLOWING FURTHER SUPPLEMENTARIES MIGHT BE PUT.
J. WILL MR. CODBER GET A FAIR TRIAL IN VIEW OF ALL THE PUBLICITY ?
WE SUGGEST THE FOLLOWING NOTE:-
GODBER WILL BE TRIED IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF HONG KONG BEFORE A
JUDGE SITTING ALONE. THE HONG KONG ATTORNEY GENERAL IS QUITE
SATISFIED THAT THE TRIAL WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY PUBLICITY,
WE SEE NO REASON TO DIFFER FROM HIS VIEW.
K
WHEN WILL THE TRIAL COMMENCE?
WE SUGGEST THE FOLLOWING NOTE:-
THE TENTATIVE DATE FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE TRIAL IS 17 FEBRUARY.
THIS IS SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT WITH COUNSEL FOR THE PROSECUTION AND
DEFENCE. BOTH WILL BE COUNSEL FOR THIS COUNTRY.
12. I MUST ADD THAT THE DATES MAY HAVE BEEN AGREED WITH COUNSEL
BEFORE 22 JANUARY DURING SCEATS'VISIT TO LONDON.
MACLEHOSE
FILES: HKIOD (4)
OPA
LEGAL ADVISERS
PARLIAMENTARY UNIT
PS/LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS SIR D WATSON
COPIES TO:
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE
6 GRAFTON ST, W1.
MR BUBBIAR
ROOM 321, HOME OFFICE
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CONFIDENTIAT,