Mr Murray
Mury
доро
PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL
162
H.
(761
Capital Punishment in the Dependent Territories
The Secretary of State has seen your submission of 19 October and has also studied the documents relating to the cases of Messrs Burrows and Tacklyn.
As you know, the Secretary of State amended the message to Sir Peter Ramsbotham because he does not think it proper to appear to put any pressure on the Governor to come to a particular conclusion. The Secretary of State has looked at the possibility of the Governor setting up an enquiry into the mental health of Burrows and Tacklyn but, given the psychiatrist's reports on both men, he does not want to suggest to Sir Peter Ramsbotham that such an enquiry should be held. However, if Sir Peter came to the conclusion that an enquiry was necessary, the Secretary of State would obviously be content, but he wants the Governor to make up his own mind.
When we hear further from Sir Peter Ramsbotham, the Secretary of State will need to minute to his colleagues on GEN 103. Subject to what we hear from Bermuda, the Secretary of State is of the view that there is little that can be done about Burrows and Tacklyn. He certainly does not wish to provoke a major row in the House of Commons on capital punish- ment in which the Government could find itself in the minority.
25 October 1977
CC:
PS/PUS Mr Rushford
Mr Duff, WIAD
Whitmany
7280
нка 386
RECEIVED IN PROKURY NO. 51
27 OCT 1977
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
No
PA
REGISTRY
(Action Taken
El
PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL
J.Shall
(J. S. Wall)