Hem U A Watt 344 Hurst Road East Molesey Surrey 178 49H
ia
HKK 382/16.
I have been asked to reply to your letter of 24 November to the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary.
We are grateful to you for taking the trouble to write us about your concern over recent evente in Hong Kong. You will, I hope, ba reassured to know that these events do net signify any weakening of the Governor's resolve to continue with his unrelenting campaign to root out oarruption from all sectors of publie life in the ColORY.
The smesty which the Governor manoumoed an 5 November related only to certain categories of offeness. Under the terms of the amesty, the Independeat Commission Against Corruption will not normally investigate any further complaints that may be brought to its attartion if they ralate to alleged corruption offenses committed prior to 1 January 1977. But the ammsety will not apply to oäses where proceedings have already been started, nor to cases involving individuals now living outside Hong Kong. The Governor alme specifically
also exoluded sny particularly heinous onses that might come to light.
In ann unging the amesty, the Governor acted in the Immowledge that in the 34 years sinos i$ was met up the Independent Commission Against Corruption has investigated and, where appropriate, initiated action against all major cases of corruption, including in particular syndicated neeruption within the polies and other branches of the public service.
The mmesty certainly does not mean that the Governor has, as you feared, virimally given up the battle against corruption. On the contrary, it has freed the Independent Commission Against Corruption to consentrate its attention en identifying and eliminating surrent cases of corruption. This determination to pursue its objective as vigerously and effectively as ever is clearly shown by the mmber of arests that have been made sines the amasty was declared.
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