NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
CONFIDENTIAL
confrontation on this sensitive point which
involves their confidence in the future.
5. All three courses, therefore, involve
political dangers. We must act slowly and
deliberately. But I believe we must now
choose. If we choose the status quo we might be able to minimise the risk here by presenting
the facts to Parliament and asking them to
support us in a free vote. But Hong Kong would
not be mollified if the vote was for abolition,
and this presentational device does not avoid the underlying choice. The Governor of Hong Kong has advised that if possible we should leave the law as it is; but that if not, we should delay as long as we can, rather than take immediate steps to change the law. I give great weight to his arguments, but do not necessarily accept them as conclusive.
I therefore invite my colleagues: (a) To agree that we should not force the
6.
(b)
(1)
Indent >
ii)
abolition of the death penalty for murder
in those Dependent Territories that have
elected legislatures, with the implication
set out in paragraph 2 above
To advise, in relation to Hong Kong,-
whether we should leave the law as it is;
as it is
leave the law for until the next serious
For
case arises; or
iii) take early steps to change the law.
5
Foren & Commonwealth Office CONFIDENTIAL
AD-H.