Bry
FS/M
FS/M Royle
DEATH SENTENCES
SECRET
Minister
Tel.
han
Issue
HKIOD
seen
MG.
1915.
1. In his telegram No 536 of 16 May, the Governor has
reported reaction in Executive Council to the announcement
of the reprieve of Tsoi. It was on predictable lines.
2. The Governor has asked for the Secretary of State's
assessment of the Parliamentary position over the next two
or three months, and in particular whether or not he is
prepared to contemplate executions in Hong Kong in special
circumstances. We cannot answer this question yet until the
Secretary of State has had an opportunity to consider the
wider problem. The Governor's telegram appears to have
crossed with FCO telegram No 479, which was personal for the
Governor from the Permanent Under Secretary and which deals
with some of the other points raised by the Governor.
3.
Meanwhile the Private Office has asked for an indication
of the timescale within which the decision on future policy
needs to be made; and about cases in the pipeline. We need
to consult the Governor on this. Sir Duncan Watson and
Mr Grattan agree however that it is in any case now unreal-
You
istic to expect to be able to submit on the policy by the
weekend.
til to
4. I attach a draft telegram to the Governor which has
been agreed with Sir Duncan Watson and Mr Grattan.
16 May 1973
Cc:-
Sir D Watson, Mr Wilford OR
Private Secretary, Mr Rushford Gib & Gen Dept
Gen
R.4. horse.
SECRET
R B Crowson
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept
!