Mr Murray
CONFIDENTIAL
HKC 38671
RECEIVEN IN DECISION NO. 51 - 8 FEB 1978
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
STRY
PA
Action Ta!..
No
El
8
Flag A 60
Flag B
PS
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT: ST VINCENT
ве
In his telegram no. 2 of 12 January, the Deputy British Government Representative in St Vincent informs us of two imminently impending executions there.
1.
2.
Sea ANS 14/2
St Vincent is an Associated State with full responsibility for its own internal affairs. The British Government has no constitutional power to intervene in internal affairs. Her Majesty The Queen, as Head of State, could theoretically exercise the Prerogative of Mercy so as to reverse a decision of the Governor made under his delegated powers. However, in 1971 after the establishment of the West Indies Associated States Ministers recog- 1971 nized that such an exercise of the power would be an anomaly. It was agreed that the Secretary of State would not tender advice to The Queen to intervene if a petition were received pleading that she should exercise the prerogative in a capital case.
J AVB Stewart
18 January 1978
cc: + Flag A
PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts
PS/Mr Rowlands
PS/PUS
Sir A Duff
Mr Cortazzi o.r.
Mr Stephen
WIAD
News Dept
Hong Kong & General Dept
1. Mr Murray asked about the position if there were to be an appeal from St Vincent to The Queen to exercise the residual prerogative of mercy. Would an appeal be transmitted direct to The Queen or through the Secretary of State, and if through the Secretary of State, would he have any power or right to offer advice to The Queen?
CONFIDENTIAL
/...