CONFIDENTIAL
าา TOP
IMMEDIATE
GPS 209
CYPHER/CAT A
FM HONG KONG 14072ØZ
CONFIDENTIAL
TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELNO 525
MY TELEGRAM 523: TSOI.
• HKK 14/16
Анн
OF 14 MAY 1973
76
าจ
20 YEARS WOULD BE TOO LIGHT A SENTENCE FOR TSOI, THIS, LIKE SOME OTHER PARTS OF THE JUDGE'S REPORT TO ME, WAS ILL-CONSIDERED,
AND WOULD BE INADEQUATE IN COMPARISON WITH OTHER COMMUTED DEATH
SENTENCES IN THE LAST YEAR, THIS WOULD BE THE VIEW OF THE EXECUTIVE
COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC.
2. IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES I SUGGEST YOU COMMUTE TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
3. I HAVE CONSIDERED WHETHER IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE THAT WHILE THE
APPEAL SHOULD BE UPHELD THE QUESTION OF ALTERNATIVE SENTENCE SHOULD
BE REMITTED BACK TO ME. BUT IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES I WOULD PREFER THE
PROCEDURE IN PARAGRAPH 2. TO ASSIST MY ABILITY TO PICK UP THE
PIECES AFTERWARDS I SHOULD NOT APPEAR TO HAVE ANY PART IN THIS
DECISION.
4. IN VIEW OF PARA 3 THE QUESTION OF CONSULTATION WITH EX CO DOES
NOT ARISE, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT I SHOULD BE ABLE TO TELL THEM WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT TOMRROW'S MEETING. I HOPE THEREFORE I MAY HEAR
FROM YOU BY 0800 HONG KONG TIME TUESDAY (2400 BST MONDAY).
MACLEHOSE
FILES HKIOD
PS
PS/PUS
SIR E NCRRIS
MR WILFCRD SIR D WATSON
CONFIDENTIAL