XN000022-1973-11-29 — Page 8

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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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