TNAG-0260-FCO40-296-Legislation-for-prevention-of-bribery-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 225

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Mr. Laird

c.c. Sir J. McPetrie.

In Garnima

п

When

HONG KONG

you

her dead this

We might discuss, after whit 9 chell get

in touch with

Draft Prevention of Bribery Bill.

hiJ.

hi J. Mc Petria As I mentioned to you I am not happy with the recommendation

datin 153

in the submission below that we should turn down the Governor's

proposal to go ahead in Legislative Council with a Bill in the

form of the present draft.

2. I start with the premise that it is not essential that

coûte que coûte Colonial legislation must always follow the

practice embodied in the law of this country and that where local

circumstances justify it Ministers can be advised that some

departure from the norms of law and justice in this country can be

justified. I have in mind the Public Service Ordinances in force

in various African territories which embody procedures which would

be repugnant to public opinion here.

3.

I then assessed the consequences of either accepting or

rejecting the Governor's proposal, as follows:

Accepting his proposal

(1)

(2)

to the extent that the Governor and his advisers

are right in their assessment of the efficiency of

-

the proposed measures and this is a matter on which

one has to rely largely on their judgment - the

administration will for the first time be able to

tackle corruption in Hong Kong in a comprehensive way,

there will be criticism directed at Ministers here from

those in Hong Kong who are opposed to the measure in

principle,

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