TNAG-0410-FCO40-456-Allegations-of-bribery-and-corruption-in-the-Hong-Kong-polic-1973 — Page 34

(17865) Dd.145178 400m 5/73 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

CONFIDENTIAL

where HMG have control over their legislation, the

rule can confer immunity on fugitive offenders who

have contravened laws introduced with HMG's approval

and in the interests of good government of a

territory for which HMG are responsible.

7. The Godber case has also opened up the prospect

of substantial political embarrassment in our

relations with Hong Kong and perhaps other dependent

territories. Faced with a serious corruption problem,

the Hong Kong Government have had, with our agreement,

for to take exceptional measures against those whom it is difficult, for obvious reasons, to produce hard evidence

of corruption. Inside Hong Kong also there is a

political problem of publid confidence. They have

set up a new and independent Anti-Corruption Commi-

appear ssion. But so long as senior European officers

able to escape its operations and to live unmolested

in the UK, public confidence in Hong Kong in the

Commission, the Hong Kong Government and HMG will be

diminished. If they believe that, in effect, the

European administration are shielding their own

people, the Chinese population will not come forward

to give the evidence of corruption which should

eventually make the special legislation unnecessary.

Moreover, the fact that the law which impedes

Godber's return is a UK one, increases, however

unreasonably, the general political tension between

Hong Kong and the UK which was the subject of Sir Alec's

minute. If, as is very possible, another Hong Kong

were tos

Government officer [evade prosecution and settle in

ward

Britain, the effect on our relations will be serious.

/If no

CONFIDENTIAL