114
7.
سقا ا
Duncer
Sir Duncan Watson
P.S. With Royle.
Public statements
CONFIDENTIAL (CABINET PAPERS ATTACHED)
Sir D. Katson
Agreco. A.R.2/7
151
HKK14/16.
to favour cording
an possible.
A.R. 22/
7
DEATH PENALTY IN THE DEPENDENT TERRITORIES
1. The future of the death penalty in the dependent territories
was considered by the Defence and Oversea Policy Committee on
11 July.
Ministers then decided that the question of abolishing
or retaining the death penalty must be left to local decision in
those dependent territories where there are elected legislatures.
2. So far as Hong Kong is concerned, Ministers agreed not to
abolish the death penalty against the clear advice of the
Governor and in view of the strong desire of the people of Hong
Kong that it should be retained.
3.
Ministers did not, however, finally rule out the possibility
of a reprieve by The Queen on grounds other than a miscarriage of
justice. There is a clear implication that the Governor will
need to take account of political opinion in this country and how
it would view a particular case, before deciding whether to
exercise the prerogative of mercy.
4.
Since the Ministers' decision was taken we have received
further advice from the Governor (Hong Kong telegrams Nos 788 and
789). He has recommended once again that the law should not be
changed, and to this extent he will welcome Ministers' decision.
But in considering the consequences he does not specifically deal
with the fact that, if conflict is to be avoided, both he and,
ideally, Executive Council will need to remember the British
/political
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