CONFIDENTIAL
returnable offence, e.g. the actual taking of a bribe.
this evidence is lacking.
So far
9.
He
The Government appointed Sir Alastair Blair-Kerr, then
the Senior Puisne Judge in Hong Kong, to investigate the
circumstances of Mr Godber's departure. Sir Alastair was also
asked to propose further measures to combat corruption.
recommended among other things that HMG should be asked to amend
the Fugitive Offenders Act so that Mr Godber and others could be
returned to face trial in the Dependent Territories, even if the
offences concerned were not known to UK law. The Home Office and
the Law Officers Department are, however, strongly opposed to any
change, and particularly to any retrospective amendment designed
to catch Mr Godber. We shall be submitting to Ministers on the
question but there seems small possibility of any change.
10.
Sir Alastair also recommended and the Governor has
set up a new Independent Commission Against Corruption, with a
very experienced retired Hong Kong public servant as Director.
The Commission started work in February. One or two senior
officers from a United Kingdom Police Force are also likely to
be seconded to the Commission and an adviser from the Metropolitan
Police is at present in Hong Kong. There have already been
suggestions that the Commission will fail to do its job and that
intervention from the UK is required. But it is much too early
to make any judgment about the Commission's effectiveness and in
the meanwhile the Governor needs our support for the way he is
tackling the problem of corruption.
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