TNAG-0490-FCO40-555-Allegations-of-bribery-and-corruption-in-Hong-Kong-police-an-1974 — Page 139

CONFIDENTIAL

5.

last if car.

Mr Godber was stoplisted when he originally arrived in the

UK The Home Office arranged this at FCO request but said that it

would be for a Minister of the FCO to defend the stopping of

Mr Godber to Parliament if necessary. This should present no

problem if, as we now hope, a warrant of arrest is immediately

pending. And even if no such warrant arrives, the Minister would

be able to explain the stopping of Mr Godber by the fact that

investigations are still proceeding in Hong Kong. Sentiment about

corruption in the colony is such that this explanation would be

likely to be accepted.

Recommendation

6.

I therefore recommend that Lord Goronwy-Roberts should

agree that Mr Godber should remain stoplisted for the time being

and that FCO Ministers will defend this in Parliament if need be.

If however the Hong Kong Government are unable, on the basis of

evidence, to proceed with a warrant for Mr Godber's arrest,

I recommend that we should, perhaps at the end of the month, review

the stoplisting of Mr Godber. This is probably the best chance

there will be of returning him to Hong Kong. If it fails, it may

not be justifiable to continue trying to retain him in the UK

indefinitely.

24 April 1974

CC

Mr Youde

Sir D Watson o.r.

j

ACSE

A C Stuart

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept.

aftee

Goronwy - Roberts

25744

CONFIDENTIAL