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V) PARLIAMENTARY STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF STATE ABROGATING
THE QUOTE CREECH JONES UNQUOTE DOCTRINE.
HENCEFORTH THE QUOTE CREECH JONES UNQUOTE DOCTRINE WOULD NO LONGER BE REGARDED AS THE CRITERION GOVERNING THE FUTURE EXERCISE OF
THE PREROGATIVE OF MERCY. WHERE THE GOVERNOR OF A TERRITORY
DECIDES MNOT TO EXERCISE THE PREROGATIVE THE SECRETARY OF STATE WOULD HIMSELF CONSIDER ALL THE RELEVANT CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING THE REPUGNANCY OF PARLIAMENTARY TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, BEFORE MAKING A RECOMMENDATION TO THE QUEEN.
4. I WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD LET ME HAVE, BY 15 AUGUST,
YOUR OWN VIEWS ON THE EFFECTS OF A POSSIBLE ABOLITION OF THE DEATH
PENALTY IN YOUR TERRITORY AFTER CONSIDERATION OF THE OPTIONS SET OUT
IN PARAGRAPH 3 ABOVE TOGETHER WITH AN ESTIMATE OF THE LOCAL REACTION TO SUCH A STEP.
OWEN
FILES
HK&GD
WIAD
M AND CD
RES DEPT MR POSNETT
COPIES TO:
MR BICKFORD - LEGAL ADVISERS
SIR CLIVE ROSE CABINET OFFICE
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MR G DE WINTON - LAW OFFICE'S DEPT
MR A M F WEBB - LORD CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE MISS M A CLAYTON - HOME OFFICE
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