CONFIDENTIAL
11) IS A NON-STARTER, SINCE THERE IS NO MAJORITY TO PASS SUCH GISLATION. IT IS THUS A RECIPE FOR CONFRONTATION.
8. THE EFFECT OF (1) WOULD BE SIMILAR TO (V) BUT WOULD INVOLVE THE LABORIOUS PROCEDURE OF APPEALS FOR MERCY FORMERLY MADE TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL BEING FORWARDED TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE
AND THEN PASSED BACK TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL FOR DECISION ON A PRISON SENTENCE. THE ODIUM THAT PREVIOUSLY ATTACHED TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AND WHICH IS NOW DORMANT WOULD BE TRANSFERRED TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE, AND WOULD BE RENEWED WITH EACH COMMUTATION AT LEAST UNTIL THE PUBLIC BECAME ACCUMSTOMED TO THE NEW SITUATION, WITH CONSEQUENT DAMAGE TO HMG'S PUBLIC IMAGE HERE,
9. THE FOREGOING IS BASED ON THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WHOSE MEMBERS EMPHASISED TO ME THEIR VERY STRONG HOPE THAT NOTHING WOULD BE DONE TO STIR UP THIS HIGHLY EMOTIVE ISSUE WHICH THEY HAVE ALL BEEN AT SUCH PAINS LOYALLY TO KEEP UNDER CONTROL AND WITH SOME SUCCESS.
10. I UNDERSTAND I MAY EXPECT TO BE CONSULTED AGAIN BEFORE ANY FINAL DECISION IS TAKEN AS A RESULT OF THE WORK OF THE OFFICIAL COMMITTEE.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
HRCGD (5)
MR MURRAY
W
CONFIDENTIAL
COPIES TO
MR BRYANS
CABINET OFFICE