TNAG-0260-FCO40-296-Legislation-for-prevention-of-bribery-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 228

CONFIDENTIAL

(b)

Reference to the Law Officers. I assume that

this is envisaged on the grounds that the Bill

would fall within para. 5(b)(i) and 5(d) of pages

12 and 13 of Vol. II of "Diplomatic Service

Procedure". If so, I would agree. But I assume

that, if Ministers were inclined to accept the

Governor's proposal, any reference to the law

officers would be so drafted as to make it clear

that Ministers accepted the balance of advantage

lay in accepting the Governor's proposal and

that the object of reference to the law officers

would be to confirm that against this political

decision they were prepared to support Ministers'

views in the event of subsequent criticism in

this country. Could you or Sir James McPetrie

confirm that this understanding is correct; or,

if it is not, advise on what we should say to

Ministers to explain why and on what basis the

matter is being put to the Law Officers.

повторит

(L. Monson)

14 July,1970

CONFIDENTIAL