TNAG-0259-FCO40-295-Legislation-for-prevention-of-bribery-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 20

Reference... HKK 14/18

2)

Mr. Rushford

You are aware of the trouble we have been having in reaching agreement with the Hong Kong Government

on the terms of their Prevention of Bribery Bill.

2.

As I see it, there remain two broad points of disagreement

3.

(a)

(b)

the Hong Kong Government proposal that the

possession of unexplained property should be a criminal offence (Clause 10);

the proposals for obtaining information (Clauses 14-15).

Clause 10 in particular was discussed briefly

when the Secretary of State was in Hong Kong recently (a summary record of that discussion is at (18)).

4. We must now decide how we are going to proceed.

Clearly a submission to Ministers is required. It is

for consideration whether the opinion of the Law

Officers should be sought before that submission is

made.

I inclined to think it should, in view of the terms of Section 4(5) of Volume 2 of Diplomatic

Service Procedure, but would welcome your advice.

am

Λ

5. I think that the next step should be a meeting

between yourselves and ourselves. Would some time

next week be convenient to you?

ビ

(E. 0. Laird)

Hong Kong Department

8 May, 1970