CONFIDENTIAL
PS
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN DEPENDENT TERRITORIES: PETITION FROM MR STAN NEWENS MP AND OTHERS
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1. The attached petition from Mr Newens and twenty other MPs asks the Secretary of State to "find ways and means of prevailing upon the Bermudian authorities to exercise clemency" in the case of the two convicted murderers whose execution is to take place
in Bermuda tomorrow.
2. As the petition itself admits, the Secretary of State cannot constitutionally intervene in what is essentially an internal affair. The most he can do is undertake to convey the concern of Mr Newens and his colleagues to the Bermudian
Government.
024
3. I recommend that he should do this, and I submit a draft telegram to the Governor of Bermuda and a draft reply to Mr Newens.
See (261)
WIAD aquel.
1 December 1977
J. Jusfer
W E Quantrill
Hong Kong & General Department
cc: Mr Cortazzi
Mr Stratton
PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts
PS/Mr Rowlands
News Dept
WIAD
Mr Stephen
ака 386
RECEIVED
- 6 DEC 1977
DESK OFF!
INDEX
Yes
CONFIDENTIAL
30.