SECRET
香港總督府
R$*y"!... ...1973.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE
HONG KONG
23/A
22nd. November, 1973.
Des Andows.
414-1(14/16
Death Sentences.
(221)
My telegram No. 1341.
LAST
ASF.
REXT
REF.
231) = 260
I enclose a copy of the note I have circulated to Executive Council as a basis for discussion on Tuesday, 27th. November. This is a purely personal document, and it will not appear on the Agenda nor will a copy of it be sent to the F.C.O. in the normal way. Nevertheless I thought it would be useful for you to have a copy as it might help in any subsequent exchange of telegrams about the advice I receive from Executive Council.
I am of course aware of the implications of the sentencing of Lam Po for the Prime Minister's visit. We certainly do not want the latter to be dominated by the issue of death sentences, though it cannot, and should not be avoided entirely. Nor is it desirable that anything should be done that would result in public fear of crime, with its complementary demand for heavy sentences, being re-aroused.
now is
My personal feeling about death sentences that we should work for a situation in which:
(a)
the U.K. abolishes the sentence in Hong Kong, if necessary against the advice of Executive Council;
(b)
it can be made clear, if necessary, that this is against the Governor's advice;
A.C. Stuart, Esq., Hong Kong Department,
Foreign and Commonwealth Office,
London.
SECRET
/(c)...