TNAG-0408-FCO40-454-Allegations-of-bribery-and-corruption-in-the-Hong-Kong-polic-1973 — Page 121

CONFIDENTIAL

he may leave the country in which case the amendment will

increase our embarrassment

and in principle it is not

usually desirable to change the law because of one unfortunate

case that might never recur.

SPEAKING NOTES

9.

Mr Royle may wish to ask the Governor:

(1) Whether in his view there is any chance of the

(2)

Hong Kong Police producing other evidence which could secure the return of Mr Godber; would the attachment of some experienced Scotland Yard fraud squad officers be likely to assist in

procurement of evidence;

If not, whether he would see any advantage in modifying the Act of 1967 if Mr Godber managed to leave the UK before the change took effect. (3) When he hopes to announce the new arrangements

which he has in mind for dealing with corruption in Hong Kong (both Sir Alastair Blair-Kerr and

This Mr Prendergast would have roles to play). should do much to reduce the pressure for an

external Commission of Enquiry.

t

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department

}

7 September 1973

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CONFIDENTIAL