TNAG-0259-FCO40-295-Legislation-for-prevention-of-bribery-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 180

6

AIRMAIL

EXPRESS

RECEIVED IN

REGISTRY No.51

-3 JAN 1970

HKK 14/18

L/E

Mr. Gammiara

light...

The time-table is tight

We had better consult with

Dear Bunny,

ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CHAMBERS

HONG KONG

Sur A. Grattan-Bellew 31st January,

at an early date.

Prevention of Bribery Bill 1970

(3)

1970.

Thank you for your letter reference HKK 14/38 dated

21st January 1970, and for the memorandum attached to it, which

sets out the F.C.0. comments on the revised Bill.

I attach some notes on the F.C.0. comments, the effect

of which may be summarized by saying that we will amend the Bill

so as to meet all your comments in substance, though necessarily

in detail, except for clause 10.

12205

As I am sure you realized when the Bill was discussed

with the Governor, this is a provision which the government is

very anxious to retain. No doubt one of your concerns is that

Ministers might feel it would be difficult to defend publicly,

though I wonder if this is really so? Surely they can argue,

justifiably, that corruption in Hong Kong is a much greater problem than it is in Britain and that, consequently, tougher measures

are imperative. Would they not, on the contrary, find it difficult

to defend refusing to agree that the Hong Kong government should

be armed with the powers which it insists are essential if corruption

is to be effectively combatted?

The Commissioner of Police believes that the publication of the Bill (which, of course, included an earlier version of

clause 10) has already had the effect of causing the resignation

of a substantial number of police officers whose conduct and mode

of living had given rise to some suspicion.

LAST

REF.

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RCF.

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