TNAG-0410-FCO40-456-Allegations-of-bribery-and-corruption-in-the-Hong-Kong-polic-1973 — Page 74

As you know, Parliament is generally suspicious

of retrospective legislation, or legislation designed

to deal with a single case.

Moreover, on the general

question, some would argue that a person should not be

returned from this country to face trial on a charge

which does not exist in the same form in English law.

Both Tony Royle and I discussed the problem at

length with Murray MacLehose when he was here in

September and we are still considering the whole question

very carefully. We may be able to find a way round these

difficulties but they are substantial ones.

As for your suggestion that Scotland Yard officers

might go out to Hong Kong to help in the investigation, as

you will know, the Governor has decided that the best way

to tackle the whole problem of corruption is to set up

an independent Anti-Corruption Commission, separate from

the Police. He also explained in his speech that some

experienced policemen from the UK would be appointed to

the new Operations Unit under the Commission.

Governor discussed possible candidates while he was here,

and the new Director of Operations, John Prendergast, will

be carrying this further this month. The important thing

is to get the right man or men. I hope you will agree that

The

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