(17259) Dd.897459 250m 12/72 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863 (16941) Dd.897300 250m 9/72 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
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preef
ex Inspector Ellis that we already have the report- in
Sir M MacLehose asked how strong the pressure
was for a UK appointed Commission of Inquiry. Mr Royle
said that this would depend on action already being
taken, such as an announcement of the appointment of
Mr Prendergast or the intended amendment of the
Fugitive Offenders Act.
11.
Sir M MacLehose said that he saw the order of
events as follows:-
(a)
(b)
a decision by ExCo on action to be taken;
publication of the report and the announcement
of intentions;
(c) the setting up of the new Anti-Corruption
Office;
Mr Royle said he could consult the Whips, the Attorney
General and the Opposition quite quickly. Sir M MacLehose
thought that perhaps any reference in the Blair-Kerr
Report to possible amendment of the Fugitive Offenders
Act should be excised before publication in order not to alert for Godber, er. DEATH PENALTY
12. Mr Royle said that, if another case came up where
the Governor could not, in the circumstances of Hong
Kong, grant a reprieve, but Ministers for UK reasons
could not allow the law to take its course, he agreed
that the law would have to be changed. The Secretary
of State had accepted this. It was therefore necessary
to tie up contingency plans for procedure.
necessary to abolish the death penalty in Hong Kong by
chenging the law by Order in Council, we would inform
If it was
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/the
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