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COLONIAL PRISONERS' REMOVAL ACT, TO SERVE THEIR SENTENCES IN THE UK, UNDERSTANDABLE ANXIETIES SHOULD BE SET AT REST. THIS WOULD CERTAINLY HELP CONTAIN ANY ADVERSE REACTION TO A DECISION TO
REPRIEVE.
9.
IN CONCLUSION, MY VIEWS ON THE ADVICE WHICH YOU SHOULD GIVE THE QUEEN ARE THAT
(A) THE ABOLITION OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN BERMUDA IS A MATTER WHICH OUGHT TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE TERRITORY'S LEGISLATURE. (ANOTHER ACCOMPANYING TELEGRAM CONTAINS FURTHER COMMENT ABOUT THIS) :
AND
(B) FOR THE REASONS I HAVE GIVEN ABOVE, I MUST RECOMMEND THAT THE LAW SHOULD TAKE ITS COURSE EVEN THOUGH I RECOGNIZE THAT YOU MAY DECIDE THAT UK OPINION MUST BE THE DECISIVE CONSIDERATION.
RAMSBOTHAM
FILES
HK&GD PS
FS/PUS
SIR A DUFF MR CORTAZZI
MR MURRAY
COPIES TO:
SIR J SINCLAIR LEGAL ADVISERS
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