TNAG-0260-FCO40-296-Legislation-for-prevention-of-bribery-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 47

2

Thursday, October 22, 1970

This clause made it an offence for them to solicit any advantage

unless they had the general or special permission of the Governor to do so.

Mr. Roberts said "advantage" in the sense of the Bill was defined

in wide terms to include any gift, loan, entertainment, favour, benefit, or

service of any description. It would be an offence for a Crown servant to

accept a dinner from a friend -unloss such acceptance were permitted by

the terms of a general or special permission from the Governor.

Establishment regulations already existed allowing Crown servants

to accept presents, gifts, and advantages of various kinds. These regulations

would be used as a basis for the general permission to be issued by the

Governor as a circular, and until it was issued, the Bill would not be

brought into force.

Social Activities

Apart from the circular, giving permission in genoral terms, it

would always be open to a Crown servant to seek the special permission of

the Governor to receive any advantage if he was doubtful about the propriety

of so doing.

Mr. Roberts assured Crown servants, anxious lost this clause unduly

restricted their social or official life, it was intended the terms of the

circular would be such as to permit acceptance of any advantages of a persohal ersohal

or social nature, unconnected with their duties.

The Government did not wish to interfere with innocent social

activities, but only with the conferring or receipt of advantages when

these were related in an improper way to a Crown servant's official position.

/He said

X