TNAG-0409-FCO40-455-Allegations-of-bribery-and-corruption-in-the-Hong-Kong-polic-1973 — Page 82

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14. PARAGRAPH 14 OF TELNO 1000.

I INTEND TO ANNOUNCE DURING MY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON 17 OCTOBER THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO SET UP AN INDEPEND- ENT ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION, THAT IT ACCEPTS THE OBJECTIVES OF SIR ALASTAIR'S RECOMMENDATIONS, AND THAT THESE ARE BEING EXAMINED IN DETAIL IN CONSULTATION WITH THE F.C.0. I WILL ADD THAT CLEARLY SUCH DRASTIC CHANGES IN ESTABLISHED PRINCIPLES OF LAW MUST BE LOOKED AT VERY CAREFULLY INDEED, AND THAT WE THINK LEGISLATION CAN BE INTRODUCED SHORTLY.

15. FOLLOWING THIS TELEGRAM, SUBSTANTIAL AGREEMENT ON THE BLAIR- KERR RECOMMENDATIONS WILL HAVE BEEN REACHED WITH YOU. ON THIS

ASSUMPTION IT IS MY INTENTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSALS

SHOULD BE ANNOUNCED WHEN THE COLONIAL SECRETARY SPEAKS IN

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON 14 OR 15 NOVEMBER IN REPLY TO THE MOTION

OF THANKS FOR MY ADDRESS,

16. IN THE MEANTIME THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS EXAMINING TWO OF THE

PROPOSALS FOR AMENDMENT OF THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE WHICH ARE DIFFICULT. THE FIRST CONCERNS THE POWER TO FREEZE A

SUSPECT'S BANK ACCOUNT AND THE SECOND IS THEE FORM WHICH PROVISION FOR FORFEITURE OF UNEXPLAINED RESOURCES MIGHT TAKE.

MACLEHOSE

FILES

EKIOD

GIB & GET D LEGAL DVISERS FS/LR ROTLE SIR D VATSON

R LARMOUR MR WILFORD

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