La
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION
WRITTEN answer cn.10..May...1978....
HK TGD
The draft reply should reach the Parliamentary Unit through your Under-Secretary by
DC
NOON ON TUESDAY
9 MAY
1978
Mr Robert Parry (Liverpool, Scotland Exchange): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether a citizen in Hong Kong can initiate a private prosecution for a corruption case that occurred prior to 1st January 1977; whether the Attorney General could inter- vene to stop such an action; and whether the Governor has any powers to direct the Attorney General over such an action.
Ma Evan Luard.
Anybody may seek to institute a prosecution under the
Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, irrespective of the date of the alleged offence. All such prosecutions require the consent of
the Attorney-General. The Governor has no power to direct the
Attorney-General in the exercise of this power.