From The Minister of State
HK&D (330)
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SW1A 2AH
12 December 1977
HKG 3867
RA SIVED IN REGISTRY NC. $1 13 DEC D/
Dear Mr. Michennan
INDEX
Action Taken
No
23/121
237
Thank you for your telegram of 30 November urging David Owen to intervene in the executions which took place in Bermuda on 2 December.
The administration of justice in Bermuda, including the decision whether or not to retain capital punishment is an internal matter, proper to the Government of Bermuda. The Secretary of State does not intervene unless he has reason to suspect that there has been a serious miscarriage of justice. Having carefully considered all aspects of the current cases, he was not able to find any evidence to suggest that there had been a miscarriage of justice. In view of the concern that had been expressed in Parliament over these cases, the Secretary of State nevertheless sent a telegram to the Governor asking him to ensure that his government was well aware of the feelings that have been expressed here on this topic. Dr Owen also made clear in the House of Commons that we hope those Dependent Territories which retain capital punishment will review their legislation with a view to bringing it into line with our own.
Вином на шия
Тед
Ted Rowlands
G McLennan Esq
General Secretary
Communist Party of Great Britain
16 King Street
LONDON WC 2