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PS
CONFIDENTIAL
Ake
3867
RECEIVED *8!
12 JAN 1978
DESK OFFICEK
INDEX
No
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT: LETTER FROM STAN NEWENS MP
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NO. 51
REGISTRY Action Taken
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39
Mr Newens has written to the Secretary of State urging him to pursue a review of the general question of capital punishment in the Dependent Overseas Territories. He believes action should be taken soon before another case arises.
2. Mr Newens' first paragraph is broadly in line with what the
It Secretary of State told the House of Commons on 5 December. is, of course, the Secretary of State's intention to pursue the matter in consultation with his colleagues in GEN 103. I have recently submitted a draft Memorandum for the Secretary of State to put before the members of the Ministerial Group, recommending the introduction of a substantive motion for discussion.
3. I submit a draft reply which points out that both the Secretary of State and Mr Foot have indicated to the House that the question will have to be looked at by Parliament after the Christmas recess. Since the reply is confined to a restatement of intentions that have already been publicly announced, I can see no objection to Mr Newens' communicating it to the press
if he wishes to do so.
9 January 1978
CC:
PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts PS/Mr Rowlands
PS/PUS
Sir A Duff
Mr Stephen.
Mr Duff, WIAD News Dept
вав.
Sleent
J A B Stewart
Hong Kong & General Dept
See (52
CONFIDENTIAL