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set out the general principle, and ask for information on the
two points mentioned by DOPC - the growth in capital crimes,
and the grounds on which reprieves had been granted in Hong
4. Kong in recent years. Mr Royle has asked that the latter
statistics should be carried back to 1966 when the last
execution took place in Hong Kong. The second letter to the
Governor personally, should set out the inwardness of the
situation. We should also let him know, in answer to his
telegrams, that a definitive reply is on the way.
•
8. There remains the question of what, if anything, should
be said in public. What was said to Executive Council might
in any case leak. But a public statement that no change in
the law is in contemplation would have an additional calming
effect in Hong Kong. We are anyway likely to be asked to state
our position in Parliament or elsewhere, and it will be
difficult to stall indefinitely. Moreover, given that Ministers
do accept the possibility of executions in Hong Kong, it is
desirable that this should be known. Otherwise, the next time
the Governor decides that the law must take its course, there
will be renewed objections that this is unheralded, unexpected
and unfair. The reprieve of Tsoi would give colour to such
complaints.
On the other hand, any such statement would only be
safe if it is not in practice followed by further reprieves by
The Queen. This is a delicate balance and should, I think, be
left for discussion with the Governor when he is on leave.
19.
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