TNAG-0816-FCO40-1022-Police-corruption-Independent-Commission-Against-Corruption--1978 — Page 227

(11)

1

HOFO 016/23

FCO

GR 180

CYPHER/CAT A

FM HONG KONG 230903Z

CONFIDENTIAL

HKK 382/2.

та. Селтаза

}

K.

3. ↑

fu

TO PRIORITY F.C.O TELNO.96 OF 23 JANUARY 78.

FOR HONG KONG AND GENERAL DEPARTMENT.

an

ADVANCE COPY

(enes)

REC

12

INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL.

1. YOU WILL RECALL THAT EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ADVISED ME LAST NOVEMBER THAT AT AN APPROPRIATE TIME STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO EMBODY THE SUBSTANCE OF THE QUOTE AMNESTY UNQUOTE IN THE SUBSTANTIVE LAW.

2. THE LEGALITY OF MY ACTION HAS BEEN CHALLENGED HERE MORE THAN ONCE BUT NOT PURSUED WITH ANY VIGOUR. NEVERTHELESS, THE RISK OF SOME MORE OPEN CHALLENGE REMAINS AND FOR THIS REASON, AS WELL AS BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT TO BE APPROPRIATE THAT SUCH AN IMPORTANT DECISION SHOULD RECEIVE LEGISLATIVE BACKING, I SOUGHT THE VIEWS OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, WHICH ADVISED THAT A BILL SHOULD BE INTRODUCED.

3. THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL THEREFORE MOVE THE SECOND READING OF

THE BILL ON WEDNESDAY 25 JANUARY. A COPY OF HIS PROPOSED SPEECH

IS IN MIFT.

4. THE BILL WAS PUBLISHED LAST FRIDAY BUT HAS SO FAR ATTRACTED NO

PRESS INTEREST, I HOPE THAT ITS PASSAGE WILL BE SIMILARLY

RECEIVED.

MACLEHOSE

NNNN