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more widespread than he had been given to believe. He was less
worried about low level corruption. He had spoken to Mr Prendergast
in Malta, who was receptive to the proposal and happy to have a
civilian superior. The High Commissioner in Valetta agreed about
his fitness for the job.
9. Mr Royle said that Mr Tom Pendry, MP, had told the Secretary
of State that he personally would support changes in the Fugitive
Offenders Act. He had suggested that some Scotland Yard officers
should be sent to Hong Kong now, specifically to investigate the
Godber affair and look for evidence to support extraditable
charges. Would there be resentment in the police if this was done?
It would show that HMG were trying to get Mir Godber back.
Sir M MacLehose said he thought there might be resentment, but the
idea was worth exploring. In the longer term, he had already asked
the Yard for some officers to help Mr Prendergast.
10.
Mr Stuart asked about Sir Alastair Blair-Kerr's second report.
If it was published without a statement of what action was to be
taken, there would be increased pressure for the appointment of a
Commission of Inquiry from this country. Sir M MacLehose said that
Sir Alastair had told him that he would let him see the report in
draft. Unfortunately this had not happened, and it contained some
loose phrases which the press might seize on. He would send a
telegram to Hong Kong to say that there should be no question of
publication or the circulation of an ExCo paper before his return.
Sir M MacLehose asked if there was likely to be pressure for a UK
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