CONFIDENTIAL
serious matter for Ministers, who would in due
course have to advise that the power of dis-
allowance should not be exercised in respect of
the legislation containing this Clause, to agree
to the introduction of legislation so completely
contrary to British standards of justice. The
arguments in paragraph 6 of your Saving Despatch
under reference would not carry much weight in
this context.
3.
Nevertheless Ministers after full study of
the problem have concluded that they could defend
the legislation, should the Bill pass Legislative
Council, on the political grounds that:
(i) the Draft Bill had been widely
circulated in Hong Kong and
(ii) the Clause had been accepted in
principle by two of the three
Civil Service Associations whose
members were directly concerned and
(iii) this demonstrated the acceptance by
the Hong Kong public of the need
for measures, even of such a drastic
nature, to cope with corruption. (In
preparing defence on these lines we
would rely on reports in first
eleven paragraphs of your memorandum
for Executive Council of 6 November
1969).
4. Ministers therefore agree that you may
introduce the Bill containing Clause 10 in
Legislative Council, but welcome suggestion in
paragraph 6 of your telegram No. 543 that, if the
(12803) Dd.643296 150m 8/69 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863 (13541) Dd.643727 200m 12/69 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863
7 7 a
/Clause......
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