SPEAKING NOTES (DEFENSIVE)
DEBATE ON THE ADDRESS: DEFENCE AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS
HOUSE OF LORDS: 31 OCTOBER 1973
HONG KONG: CORRUPTION
My Rt Hon Friends, the Secretary of State for Foreign and
Commonwealth Affairs, and my Hon Friend the Parliamentary Under
Secretary of State, had extensive discussions about this problem
with the Governor of Hong Kong when he was in this country
recently.
On 17 October, in a speech to Legislative Council, the
Governor of Hong Kong gave details of measures designed to
eradicate corruption in the Police Force and the Public Service
generally. In particular he announced the setting-up of a new
Anti-Corruption Commission, separate from the Police Force, under
a civilian Commissioner.
Failure to Return Mr Godber to Hong Kong
The reason why Mr Godber cannot be returned to Hong Kong is
that the offence alleged against him, namely the possession of
unexplained wealth by a public officer, although an offence in
Hong Kong, does not constitute an offence under English law.
Under the double criminality rule in the Fugitive Offenders Act,
return is only possible when the offence concerned is known to
the law in this country.
Amendment to the Fugitive Offenders Act
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.