TNAG-0409-FCO40-455-Allegations-of-bribery-and-corruption-in-the-Hong-Kong-polic-1973 — Page 99

XCS(73)10

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(a) to cease giving reasons for terminating the service of

officers on probation or on contract or on the compulsory retirement of officers on the pensionable establishment;

and

(b) to abrogate the principle that Government will not institute

disciplinary proceedings in respect of a criminal offence which it cannot prosecute for lack of evidence,

are matters requiring consultation with the staff associations.

13 The Agreement provides that the Government may, if satisfied that the public interest so requires, make any change in conditions of service, whether or not the main staff associations have been consulted and whether or not they have agreed to such change. Should the Government exercise this right, it is obliged to inform the main staff associations of the reasons for such exercise. It is proposed that discussions with the associations, on the changes in conditions of service recommended in the Report, be initiated forthwith.

Timing

14

It is proposed to publish the second report on 10th October, with a brief explanatory note. The Governor, in his Address at the opening of the forthcoming session of the Legislative Council on the 17th October, would announce the Government's decisions on the second report. The Colonial Secretary, in his reply to the debate on the Governor's Address on the 14th November, would be in a position to give details of progress made in forming the new Commission, and in implementing the various recommendations in the report.

15

Honourable Members will be asked to confirm their advice that a separate Anti-Corruption Commission be established and to advise whether:

(a) the objectives of the recommendations set out in paragraphs

5 and 6 be accepted;

(b) the Advisory Committee on Corruption be abolished

(paragraph 7(d));

(c) the question of the future of the Target Committee be

deferred (paragraph 7(e));

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