CONFIDENTIAL
CORRUPTION AND THE FUGITIVE C FENDERS ACT
11. When fir Godber, the Hong Kong policeran,
escaped to Britain before he could be tried for
corruption, the Governor set up a judicial commission
under Sir A Blair-Kerr. His report recommended a new
anti-corruption commission in Hong Kong; changes in
the law and Colonial Regulations in Hong Kong to make
it easier to deal with corrupt public servants; and
the amendment of the UK Furitive Offenders Act to
allow the return of Godber.
12. As a result the Governor has already set up an
independent Anti-Corruption Commission under
experienced direction. I hope the Home Secretary will
be able to second one or two experienced officers to
help with its Operations Unit. I have also agreed
with the Governor on changes in the laws and
regulations governing the public service in Hong Kong
which meet most of Jir A Blair-Kerr's recommendations.
These will be announced this month.
13. This leaves the Fugitive Offenders Act. Godber
is accused of an offence under Section 10 of the Hong
Kong Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, which makes it
an offence for a public serv nt to be in control of
resources which he cannot explain. This provision is
needed in Hong Kong where it is very difficult to
get evidence of actual corruption.
parallel offence in this country.
But there is no
The Fugitive
Offenders Act 1967 introduced for the first time in
its application to the Dependent Territories, the
CONFIDENTIAL
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