TNAG-0409-FCO40-455-Allegations-of-bribery-and-corruption-in-the-Hong-Kong-polic-1973 — Page 50

CONFIDENTIAL

1. I agree with Mr Stuart that the new text is better; and

that if it is the Governor's judgment that the present text

is the least that he can get away with without trouble in

Hong Kong, then we had better accept it. But I think that he

is laying up trouble for the future in emphasising so pointedly

HMG's power of veto and the Secretary of State's responsibility

for the laws of Hong Kong. It is true that this is in Blair-Kerr,

but for the Governor himself to bring it out could give

ammunition to those here who will claim that the true conclusion

to be drawn from all this is that we should only approve laws

approve in Hong Kong which would be acceptable to legal/public opinion

in the United Kingdom.

an

2. I think it worth putting this point to the Governor and

have expanded the draft telegram for this purpose.

16 October 1973

Copies to:

Sir Duncan Watson Mr Rushford

Mr Champion

CONFIDENTIAL

Before

E Youde