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RESTRICTED CR LM 56/75
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Colonial Secretariat,
Hong Kong.
General Circular No. 11/75
17th September, 1975
Corruption Prevention Procedure
The purpose of this circular is to acquaint Heads of Departments with the work of the Corruption Prevention Department of I.C.A.C. and to outline the processes by which the Department undertakes assignments.
2.
The Corruption Prevention Department of I.C.A.C. was formed in September 1974 and, since its inception, has received about 600 reports suggesting that procedures in Government Departments could be improved so as to prevent or minimize the opportunities for corruption. These reports have been received from various sources; from members of the public, sometimes by name and sometimes anonymously, from other departments within I.C.A.C., particularly the Operations Department, and from Heads of Government Departments.
3.
The main interest of the Corruption Prevention Department is to identify such practices and procedures (and where applicable the policies from which they are derived) as may be conducive to corruption and to make recommendations for the elimination or reduction of these opportunities so far as this is practicable. The Corruption Prevention Department is not concerned with specific reports of corruption: these are dealt with by the Operations Department of the I.C.A.C. (Civil Service Branch Circular No. 55/74 refers).
4.
On receipt of a report, the Corruption Prevention Department first ensures that it relates to corruption and is not frivolous. It is then accorded a priority by a Sub-Committee of the Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee and, in due course, an assignment is started. The procedure to be followed by the Corruption Prevention Department will vary, depending on the nature, extent and priority of the investigation, but the following pattern of work will usually emerge although not necessarily, in the sequence described.
5.
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A background study is first made of all reports and allegations available in the Commission which are relevant to the area of examination. Other background material, such as annual reports, laws, etc., is assembled and studied so that the Corruption Prevention Department staff acquire a general knowledge of the subject area before visiting the client department.
6.
The Corruption Prevention Department staff undertaking the investigation will then approach the client department at directorate level, so that senior departmental staff may be aware that an investigation is to be made and the reasons for it. Thereafter, the assignment staff of the Corruption Prevention Department will study the subject area, the procedures and the practices, and the policy background from which they have been evolved; this will involve I.C.A.C./departmental contacts at several levels. Where appropriate, the 0. & M. Division of the Finance Branch and the Inspection Division of the Treasury will be consulted.
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