personal decision by the Governor, who first takes the
advice of his Council of Ministers. The Secretary of State
is required to exercise his responsibility only in the case
of a Petition for Mercy to The Queen. In the present case
in Belize there are, therefore, no grounds for intervention
in the absence of such a Petition.
As regards the exceptional Hong Kong case which is
referred to in paragraph 8 of the Background Note, Hong Kong
is the only Dependent Territory which retains the death penalty
and in which the Legislature is not elected.
Js. Champion
J S CHAMPION
Gibraltar and General Department
22 March 1974
cc.
✓
PS to S/S PS/PUS
Mr Larmour
Mr Youde
Mr Stuart (HKIOD)
The mantrance of the dealt penalty in dependent centres
As explamed above, the Senatory of State
ni aukward.
in formally
uvilised
and of
there is a petition under the Residual Perogative. If there is no such petition the execution is corruit out, it at
is of
chance
but we count R. sure
it will not altinct puhuty, raised. but
questing will not be raised. The wenn
wit Jwenn is dee in hundar on leave on
Monday.
2
This Walke
22/3