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Sir D Watson tson
PS/Mr Royle
CONFIDENTIAL
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سلات
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CORRUPTION IN HONG KONG: BLAIR-KERR REPORT
1.
252
HKK 14/17
M. Yondé.
Ma Crank
I attach a copy of the second Blair-Kerr Report and Annex,
which was published in Hong Kong on 11 October, together with an
accompanying press release. The Governor will be announcing
action on the Report in his speech at the Opening Session of
Legislative Council on 17 October. He asked for our comments on
the Blair-Kerr proposals in time for a Meeting of the Executive
Council on 9 October. We have therefore sent him definitive
official views (FCO telegram number 1,000), but have reserved
Mr Royle's position.
It would be helpful to know whether
Mr Royle dissents from any of our conclusions, so that we may
tell the Governor before his speech on 17 October.
2. The proposals, and our comments to which the department's
Legal Adviser has agreed, are complicated. But the main points
are the proposal to amend the Fugitive Offenders Act; to change
Colonial Regulations for Hong Kong to make it easier to retire
officers suspected of corruption; and to make detailed changes
in the Hong Kong Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
FUGITIVE OFFENDERS ACT
3. The Governor has been informed of Mr Royle's decision that
we cannot change the Act to catch Mr Godber; but that we are
161er
CONFIDENTIAL
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