PRIME MINISTER
PM/73/33
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Distribution
Distribution
Ho. of HKIO)
PS/MY Royle
PS/ Pus
fir D. Watson.
Death Sentence in Hong Kong
As you know I have asked the Governor of Hong Kong to arrange for a psychiatric examination of Mr. Tsoi.
Ivor Richard came to see me yesterday and told me that there would be "one hell of a Parliamentary row" if
anyone was executed in Hong Kong. It is possible that if the Socialists and Liberals were united on this that
a censure motion would be moved and carried with the
support of our convinced abolitionists.
Let me suppose that this would be the result.
One possibility is that the British Parliament should legislate and in effect over-rule the Legislative and Executive Councils in Hong Kong. This might be deeply
resented and it could start a constitutional crisis
PERSONAL AND SECRET
THIS IS A COPY THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN
CLOSED UNDER FOI EXEMPTION NO. .270).
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