light of this advice and has informed me that, if the
advice is formally confirmed in eight weeks time he
will
The general public of Hong Kong will be strongly
behind this decision.
8.
We have already considered the general question
of the death penalty in the dependent territories
(DOP(73)17th meeting). We then decided to take no
steps to abolish the death penalty in those dependent
territories that have elected legislatures. We also
agreed that it was important to support the Governor
of Hong Kong in his decisions, but that great care
should continue to be taken in considering reprieves.
Subsequently I agreed with the Governor that
if his decision had to be overridden again on grounds
other than a miscarriage to justice, we must take
steps to abolish the death penalty in Hong Kong before
his decision was made public. Any other course would
put him in an impossible position. The eight weeks'
notice he has now given is to enable us to consider
this choice.
9.
10.
The Governor will not have told even his
Executive Council of his decision before the Frime
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