CONFIDENTIAL
CABINET
DEFENCE AND OVERSEA POLICY COMMITTEE
THE DEATH PENALTY IN THE
DEPENDENT TERRITORIES
PROBLEM
1. The dilemma is set out in the attached paper (DOP (73)49).
DEPENDENT TERRITORIES OTHER THAN HONG KONG
2. Our aim is to get the Committee to agree that in those
dependent territories (other than Hong Kong and New Hebrides)
where the death penalty still exists, we should not force a
change in the law.
HONG KONG
3. We need a decision on whether to change the law of Hong
Kong.
CONSIDERATIONS
4.
Speaking notes are attached.
Also attached are notes on
the constitution of Hong Kong and on the residual Royal
prerogative of mercy.
5. If the Committee decide that the law in Hong Kong should
stay as it is, we could try to make this more acceptable to
opinion in the House of Commons by:
(a) Putting the case to the House and asking them to support
it on a free vote. But this could be risky unless the
Whips believe the vote would be in favour.
CONFIDENTIAL
/(b)