SIR D WATSON
HX 14/7
CONFIDENTIAL
A
cc: Mr Larmour
Mr Crowson (HKIOD)
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN THE DEPENDENT TERRITORIES
PROBLEM
1. In the light of Mr Grattan's minute of 15 May 1973 to
consider the options open to Her Majesty's Government in a
review of policy on the retention of capital punishment in those
Dependent Territories in which statutory provision for the death
penalty for murder still exists. (Hong Kong, the only such
territory which does not have an Elected Legislature, is the
subject of a separate submission by HKIOD).
BACKGROUND
2.
The death penalty for murder is retained in the local
legislation of Bahamas, Bermuda, British Honduras, British Virgin
Islands, Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Montserrat and the Turks and
Caicos Islands, and in the New Hebrides, an Anglo/French
Condominium. The death penalty is also retained in the six
West Indian Associated States of Antigua, Dominica, Grenada,
St Kitts/Nevis/Anguilla, St Lucia, and St Vincent. In all these
cases the Royal Prerogative of Mercy is delegated to the Governor,
although The Queen retains a residual Prerogative of Mercy, in
exercising which She is advised by the Secretary of State.
3. At present there are four murder cases in the Dependent
Territories other than Hong Kong in which capital sentences have
been passed and in which the exercise of the Prerogative of Mercy
will fall to be considered; three similar cases are now awaiting.
/trial.
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CONFIDENTIAL