, CONFIDERiin
(A) WHETHER YOU AGREE THAT IF THE WORST COMES TO THE WORST IT
WOULD BE PREFERABLE TO LEGISLATE THE DEATH SENTENCE OUT OF HONG
KONG RATHER THAN OVERRULE THE GOVERNOR AGAIN:
(B)
WHETHER A ROUTINE HAS BEEN WORKED OUT FOR LEGISLATING THE
DEATH SENTENCE OUT OF HONG KONG FROM YOUR END, AND IF SO HOW
LONG IT WOULD TAKE TO IMPLEMENT FROM THE TIME A DECISION TO DO
SO WAS TAKEN:
(C) WHAT FORM YOU ENVISAGE CONSULTATION BETWEEN US ABOUT A SENSI-
TIVE CASE SHOULD TAKE.
!
7. I SEE NO NEED TO SAY ANYTHING IN PUBLIC ABOUT THIS DECISION AS
SUCH BECAUSE IT DOES NOT CHANGE THE SITUATION THAT HAS BEEN PUBLIC
KNOWLEDGE SINCE THE TSOI CASE.
3.
FOR THE SAME REASON I DO NOT PROPOSE TO SHOW THE LETTER TO THE
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AS SIR DUNCAN SUGGESTS. MOREOVER IF MEMBERS WERE
TO GET THE IMPRESSION, HOWEVER WRONGLY, THAT HMG'S MOST RECENT CONTRIBUTION TO THE SOLUTION OF THIS PROBLEM WAS TO ENJOIN
''THAT GREAT CARE SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE TAKEN IN CONSIDERING
REPRIEVES'' THEY WOULD RUN RIOT. THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE NO DOUBT
UNINTENDED BUT TOTALLY UNJUSTIFIED IMPLICATION THAT CARE IN THE PAST
HAS BEEN INSUFFICIENT.
9. I SHOULD BE OBLIGED IF THESE AND RELATED QUESTIONS COULD BE
PURSUED, WITH THE PRIORITY THEY DESERVE, WITH SIR HUGH NORMAN- WALKER DURING MY LEAVE, WITH A VIEW TO POLICY AND PROCEDURES BEING
FINALLY AGREED WHEN I AM IN LONDON IN EARLY SEPTEMBER. I AM OF
COURSE AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION AT ANY TIME BEFORE THAT IF
NECESSARY.
MACLEHOSE
i
FILES:
HKIOD
G & G D
LEGAL ADVISERS
PS
SIR E. NORRIS
MR. LARMOUR SIR D. WATSON
2 -
CONFIDENTIAL