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V) PARLIAMENTARY STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF STATE ADROGATING
THE QUOTE CREECH JONES UNQUOTE DOCTRINE.
HENCEFORTH THE QUOTE CREECH JONES UNQUOTE DOCTRINE WOULD NO LONGER BE
REGARDED AS THE CRITERION GOVERNING THE FUTURE EXERCISE OF
THE PREROGATIVE OF MERCY. WHERE THE GOVERNOR OF A TERRITORY
DECIDES MNOT TO EXERCISE THE PREROGATIVE THE SECRETARY OF STATE WOULD HIMSELF CONSIDER ALL THE RELEVANT CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING THE REPUGNANCY OF PARLIAMENTARY TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, BEFORE MAKING A RECOMMENDATION TO THE QUEEN..
4. I WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD LET ME HAVE, BY 15 AUGUST, YOUR OWN VIEWS ON THE EFFECTS OF A POSSIBLE ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY IN YOUR TERRITORY AFTER CONSIDERATION OF THE OPTIONS SET OUT IN PARAGRAPH 3 ABOVE TOGETHER WITH AN ESTIMATE OF THE LOCAL REACTION
TO SUCH A STEP.
OWEN
FILES
HK&GD
WIAD
M AND CD
RES DEPT
MR POSNETT
COPIES TO:
MR BICKFORD - LEGAL ADVISERS
SIR CLIVE ROSE - CABINET OFFICE
MR G DE WINTON LAW OFFICE'S DEPT
MR A M F WEBB LORD CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE MISS M A CLAYTON HOME OFFICE
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