TNAG-0405-FCO40-451-Allegations-of-bribery-and-corruption-in-the-Hong-Kong-polic-1973 — Page 113

· CONFIDENTIAL

(B) IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE OF THE WORKING OF THE PREVENTION

OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE, AND HAVING REGARD ALSO TO THE NEED TO PRESERVE BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS UNDER THE LAW, TO :-

) REPORT ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ORDINANCE AND TO

SUGGEST AMENDMENTS: AND

(!!) SUGGEST ANY OTHER CHANGES IN CURRENT ARRANGEMENTS, COONSIDER-

ED NECESSARY.

6. THE COMMISSION HAS BEEN ASKED TO REPORT ON (A) WITHIN THREE WEEKS AND (B) WITHIN THREE MONTHS.

7. (B) FITS IN WELL WITH THE REVIEW OF THE WORKING OF THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE PROMISED AFTER 3 YEARS' EXPERIENCE OF IT. THIS FALLS DUE TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR.

8. (B) LEAVES IT OPEN TO THE COMMISSIONER TO SUGGEST THE SEPARATION OF THE ANTI CORRUPTION BRANCH FROM THE POLICE, IF HE CONSIDERS THAT THIS HAS BEEN PROVED DESIRABLE.

9. WHILE OF COURSE THESE EVENTS MAKE A FIELD DAY FOR SOME SECTIONS OF THE PRESS, IT IS NOTICABLE THAT THE BASIC REACTIONS OF JOURNALISTS AND IN PARTICULAR OF THE CHINESE PRESS IS FRIENDLY TO THE POLICE, AND NOTES THAT THE GODBER INCIDENT RESULTS FROM THE VIGOUR WITH WHICH THE POLICE WERE PRESSING CORRUPTION CHARGES AGAINST HIM. HOWEVER, HIS ESCAPE IS ANOTHER MATTER, AND IS, AND IS LIKELY TO BE, A SUBJECT OF RAUCOUS CRITICISM BOTH INFORMED AND UNINFORMED.

10. WE WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED OF THE LINE WE TAKE WITH THE PRESS, AS THINGS DEVELOP. MEANWHILE I PRESUME PARAGRAPHS 4 ANND 5 GIVE YOU ALL THAT YOU NEED.

MACLEHOSE

FILES

HKIOD

OPA

NEWS D

PS

PS/MR ROYLE SIR D WATSON MR WILFORD

- 2· CONFIDENTIAL

Heig