GRS 140
PRIORITY CYPHER/CAT A
Copy for CR file
CONFIDENTIAL
ака
HKC 386!
3 0DEC 1977
A. 51
STAY Mction. Taken
399
N Jasper
inhour (~3/1 J231/12
(HWB 380/;)
FM FCQ 281701Z
INJEX
No
CONFIDENTIAL
ве
TO PRIORITY HAMILTON TELNO PERSONAL 53 OF 28 DECEMBER.
LLOYD/DUFF TELECON ON 22 DECEMBER:
COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY.
1. MR ROWLANDS WAS APPROACHED BY LORD KENNETT OVER THE WEEKEND ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A ROYAL COMMISSION TO ENQUIRE INTO THE CAUSES OF THE RECENT RIOTS. LORD KENNETT SAID THAT HE HOPED THERE WOULD BE A ROYAL COMMISSION WHICH WOULD REPORT TO THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT WHO WOULD HAVE THE POWER TO ENFORCE ITS RECOMMENDATIONS IN BERMUDA, LORD KENNETT MAY HAVE BEEN REFLECTING THE VIEWS OF THE LEADER OF THE PLP WITH WHOM HE HAS HAD CONTACT OVER THE PAST
FEW WEEKS.
2. IT IS CLEAR FROM THE BERMUDA PRESS THAT THE SUBJECT OF AN ENQUIRY AND THE FORM IT SHOULD TAKE IS ALREADY A MATTER OF ACTIVE PUBLIC DEBATE IN BERMUDA, PARLIAMENTARY INTEREST IN BRITAIN MAY BE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE AND MINISTERS WILL NEED TO BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN AND IF NECESSARY DEFEND WHATEVER DECISIONS ARE TAKEN.
3. WE WOULD THEREFORE BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR CONSIDERED VIEWS ON THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
OWEN
FILES
WIAD
PS/MR ROWLAND
MRSTRATTON
MR POSNETT
MR CORTAZZI
CONDENMAL