TNAG-0260-FCO40-296-Legislation-for-prevention-of-bribery-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 52

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Wednesday, October 21, 1970

Mr. Roberts said after carefully considering the arguments for

the creation of a separate body, the Government had decided the responsibility

for combatting corruption should remain in the hands of the Anti-Corruption

Branch of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force. Evon with its present powers,

this Branch had attained a "steadily increasing level of success in the

past two or three years.'

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The setting up of a new organisation would show a serious lack of

confidence both in the Branch and in the Police force as a whole, and this

was in no sonso justified by past experience.

Poor Promotion Prospects

Also, a soparate body would have to be staffed by experienced

Police officers. He doubted if the Government could obtain the high calibre

of officer required for that difficult task, with the relatively poor

promotion prospects and the narrow degree of specialisation that would be

inseparable from the creation of a small, independent organisation.

But he recognised that the powers of investigation conferred by

the Bill were such that the greatest restraint must be shown, and every

precaution taken, against overuse. Most of the powers allowed in the Bill

wore subject to his authority or direction as Attorney General.

For those reasons, and because many cases under investigation under

the Bill would prosent legal and evidential problems of some complexity, the

Standing Finance Committee of the Legislative Council had approved the creation

of a now post of Principal Crown Counsel, who would be attached to the Anti-

Corruption Branch as his representative.

This