(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
CONFIDENTIAL
in his decisions, but that great care should
continue to be taken in considering reprieves.
9.
Subsequently agreed with the Governor that
if his decision had to be overridden again on political
grounds other than a miscarriage of justice, he would
be put in an impossible position unless we took steps
to abolish the death penalty in Hong Kong altogether,
before his decision was made public. The arrangement
for eight weeks' notice is to enable us to consider
this choice.
10.
The Governor will not have told even his
Executive Council of his decision before the Prime
Minister's visit. Nor would we need to decide before
then whether we must change the law. Even if we
eventually decide that we must do so, we can postpone
this decision or its announcement until after
14 January and thus avoid a public row during the
visit. But members of Executive Council will be well
aware of the advice they have given, and this may have
leaked. The Prime Minister will be closely questioned.
If therefore we are able to support the Governor,
there would be much to be said for taking this
decision now.
CONFIDENTIAL