TNAG-0409-FCO40-455-Allegations-of-bribery-and-corruption-in-the-Hong-Kong-polic-1973 — Page 89

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FUGITIVE OFFENDERS ACT.

THE GODBER AFFAIR HAS HIGHLIGHTED THE CASE FOR AMENDMENT OF THE FUGITIVE OFFENDERS ACT, AS RECOMMMENDED BY SIR ALASTAIR BLAIR-KERR. THE REQUIREMENT OF DOUBLE CRIMINALITY SIMPLY DOES NOT MAKE SENSE IN THE CASE OF A DEPENDENT TERRITORY, SUCH AS HONG KONG, WHERE H.M.G. HAS A POWER OF VETO ON ALL LAWS PASSED, AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS OBLIGED TO ANSWER FOR THE LAWS OF HONG KONG IN THE

HOUSE OF COMMONS. IT SEEMS ABSURD TO US THAT LAWS PASSED BY H.M.G. IN THE U.K. SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO FRUSTRATE THE INTENTION OF LAWS APPROVED BY H.M.G. IN HONG KONG. I AM SURE THAT THIS WAS NOT AT ALL THE INTENTION OF THE FUGITIVE OFFENDERS' ACT.

I HAVE REPRESENTED TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE THE STRONG FEELINGS ON THIS SUBJECT HERE. THIS, OF COURSE, IS NOT THE ONLY WAY TO BRING BACK GODBER FOR TRIAL, IT REMAINS ONLY FOR ONE MAN TO COME FORWARD AND GIVEE CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF A CORRUPT TRANSACTION.

UNQUOTE.

2. SEE M.I.F.T.

MACLEHOSE

FILES

HKIOD

OPA

LEGAL ADVISERS

NEWS D

GIB & GEN D

FED

PARLIAMENTARY UNIT-

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