TNAG-0406-FCO40-452-Allegations-of-bribery-and-corruption-in-the-Hong-Kong-polic-1973 — Page 183

was inserted to meet local objectors.

Our agree-

ment was finally given on the political ground of

non-interference.

It follows that we do not in

principle reject the possibility of repealing

Section 10(2) and Section 10(4) as such.

3.

Nevertheless, we wonder whether this is

Its

necessary or desirable at this stage, unless you

have reason to fear that someone else is likely to

abscond and that new precautions, (surveillance,

removal of passport and airport passes, use of

Section 18 etc) are unlikely to stop them.

Section 10(2) relates to the underlying nature of

offences under the Ordinance, which will be the

subject of the second part of the inquiry.

bearing on the question of escape is incidental,

as is the case with Section 30. To delete this

subsection for administrative reasons would

presumably give rise to the same objections as were

raised before in Hong Kong about the whole of

Section 10. This would reduce the political

defensibility of the whole section. It would also

seem to some extent to prejudge and prejudice the

review of the whole ordinance to which we will all

have to give very careful consideration.

4. We would therefore prefer not to delete

Section 10(2) and Section 10(4) at this time,

If, however, you consider that this change is

ortonlind now, in order to allay public

disquiet and stop other suspects leaving, we

will consider it furthor. It does not

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NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

}

}