CONFIDENTIAL
ROUTINE
PERSONAL
RELMOPAN
GRAND CAYMAN, GRAND TURK, HAMIIFON, HƠNG KONG MONTSERRAT
DISTRIBUTION &
HKH PS
PS/Hr Rowlandia Si❤ & Duff
Mr CortasKİ
Mr Stratten Mr Duff(WIAD)
News Dept
Legal Advisers
Sir Clive Rose
(Cabinet Off.)
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN DEPENDENT OVERSEAS TERRITORIES
1.
Plence refer to ir Stewart's letter of
27 Jumaney. Einisters have now discussed the policy of ompital punishment in dependent overseas territories. They concluded that this was not the time to introduce any changes in the DOES, They will consider the problem again at a more oppertime time.
2. I wish to impress upen you the fact that I and my cellengass would find it very difficult to defend any instanos where a capital sentence for murder were osrried out in a dependant territory. While I recognise that under the constitution tise decision is wholly yours, I express my hope that in any ospital ones that may come before you, the circumstances may be such as te mahle you to exercise the Royal Prerogative in favour of commitation.
CONFIDENTIAL