TNAG-0260-FCO40-296-Legislation-for-prevention-of-bribery-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 163

-4-

me matter delayed.

(iv) The clause may well not be

used very frequently but it is an

essential ingredient of the

legislation, not only because

it is a strong deterrent (fear

of being found out is the main

deterrent to corruption and since

bribery is normally a two-way

exchange of benefits the law

otherwise will not be a strong deterrent); but also because it

is evidence of a determination

to tackle corruption vigorously.

The Governor has stated that cases

exist now which could be proceeded

with if the provisions of the

clause were in force but on which

no progress is possible without

them.

(v) The excision of the clause

after its publication and acceptance:

by representative bodies in Hong

Kong will be seen to have been

done at HMG's insistence and public

servants and the public will draw

the conclusion that HMG do not

regard corruption as a particularly

serious matter and that it can be

indulged in with comparative

impunity. (This point arises only

because the Bill was originally

published in Hong Kong without

prior reference to the FCO

FCO)

9 A summary of the course of events

leading to the present position is attached

at Appendix A.

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

15.......