GRS 90
CYPHER CAT A
1. Bu kon
CONFIDENTIAL
135
FM FCO 131620Z
CONFIDENTIAL
TO ROUTINE HONG KONG TELNO 990 OF 13 NOVEMBER. 1974.
DEATH PENALTY: YOUR TELNO 178 SAVING
I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD INFORM THE PETITIONERS THAT
THEIR PETITION HAS BEEN LAID BEFORE HER MAJESTY. IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE PRESENT LAW OF HONG KONG, THE COURTS ALREADY IMPOSE THE DEATH PENALTY IN CASES OF MURDER. HOWEVER, THESE SENTENCES ARE NOT CARRIED OUT IF THE PREROGATIVE OF MERCY IS EXERCISED.
I WAS UNABLE TO ADVISE HER MAJESTY THAT SHE SHOULD ISSUE ANY
DIRECTIVE LIMITING THE EXERCISE OF THE PREROGATIVE OF MERCY,
CALLAGHAN
FILES
HRIOD
LEGAL ADVISERS
PS
PS/LORD GORONNY- ROBERTS
MR MALE
SIRD WATSON
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