TNAG-1581-FCO40-2155-Hong-Kong-Commercial-Crimes-Bill-1986 — Page 35

GRS 180

CONFIDENTHAL

FM HONG KONG

TO PRIORITY FCO

TELNO 15

OF 03081OZ JANUARY 86

CONFIDENTIAL

الله المادية

KK 3

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

03 JAN1986

DESK OFFICE

INDEX

TRY

P/

Taken

COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIMES : ROSKILL COMMITTEE REPORT

1. THE SUNDAY TIMES OF 29 DECEMBER AND THE TIMES OF 30 DECEMBER BOTH REPORT THAT THE ROSKILL COMMITTEE HAVE RECOMMENDED THAT JURIES SHOULD BE ABOLISHED IN COMPLEX FRAUD TRIALS: AND REPLACED BY A FRAUD TRIMAL TRIBUNAL CONSISTING OF A JUDGE SITTING WITH TWO LAY ASSESSORS. THE REPORT SUGGESTS THAT THE COMMITTEES REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE EARLY THIS MONTH BEFORE THE DEBATE HN PARLIAMENT ON THE NEW FINANCIAL SERVICES BILL.

2. THERE WILL BE VERY GREAT INTEREST HERE IN THE COMMITTEE 'S REPORT BOTH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SELECT COMMITTEE AND AMONG THE PUBLIC GENERALLY, FOLLOWING THE CONTROVERSY ON OUR OWN COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIMES BILL LAST YEAR. GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD CONFIRM WHETHER OR NOT IT IS TRUE THAT THE ROSKILL COMMITTEE'S REPORT, WHICH IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT AND THE HOME OFFICE TWO WEEKS AGO, DOES CONTAIN SUCH A

RECOMMENDATION.

3. HF HT IS THE INTENTION TO PUBLISH A SUMMARY OF THE REPORT WITH ANY GOVERNMENT STATEMENT ON HT, IT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL IF WE COULD HAVE SIGHT, IN CONFIDENCE, OF T SHORTLY BEFORE PUBLICATION SO THAT WE CAN BE READY FOR THE NEVITABLE QUESTIONS ON HTS RELEVANCE TO HONG KONG.

YOUDE

LIMITED

HKD

LEGAL ADVISERS

NEWS D

MR WILSON

CONFIDENTIAL

:

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