I
Thursday, November 29, 1973
was also being given to the recommendation to make it an offence to fail
to comply with a notice issued under Section 14 requiring a suspect to submit
information to the Anti-Corruption Commission headed by Mr. Jack Cater.
"I believe that these amendments will make the Prevention of
Bribery Ordinance a more effective instrument in dealing with corruption
than it is at present," Mr. Roberts said.
The new Commission, he added, had a formidable task. "It must
not lack the proper legal support." The Bill will be introduced in the
Legislative Council early next year.
Useful Talks
Mr. Roberts told Council that useful talks had taken place between
the Secretary for the Civil Service and the three Staff Associations
concerning Sir Alastair's proposals to change the Colonial Regulations 80
as to make it easier to remove government servants against whom no conviction
for corruption could be obtained because of insufficient evidence.
While the associations were concerned that honest officers should
be protected against possible victimisation or injustice, they had taken
"a most reasonable and responsible attitude towards the proposals which have
been put to them."
The Colonial Secretary hoped that a formula could be reached which
would be acceptable to everyone concerned.
On the Anti-Corruption Commission, Mr. Roberts said it was too early
to say precisely what form it would take, but generally it was proposed
that it should comprise three main divisions:
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