CONFIDENTIAL
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it. If it is finally decided by Ministers that capital punishment in the DOTs must be abolished, then this could only legally be done either by Bills in the local legisla- tures or by a Bill in the UK Parliament, oxcept in those territories in which the law could be altered by Order in Council. There are, however, political difficulties over such a course. There is also the onse of Hong Kong where the Governor has managed for the past five years to maintain, against strong local objections, a policy whereby all ospital sentences are commrted to life imprisonment. A move there formally to abolish the death penalty for mirder would undoubtedly result in strong local reaction.
As a result of all there canaidarations and their assosement of the political olinate in Britain, Hinisters have now decided to defer the decision. However, membera of the present Government are unanimously and strongly abolitionist. They are concerned about the possibility of
another case, such as recently in Bermuda share two men were hanged, omusing violent disturbances in Bermada and a storm of angry protect here in Britain. I, therefore, urge you in the strongest possible terms to bear in mind the second paragraph of the Secretary of State's telegram
As we stand at present, the Secretary of State mast sontime to observe the Mirits of the Creech--Jones
doctrine. He is
He is very conscious of the fact that
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Governors, although subject yourselves to sovere limitations, have a mach greater degree of scope than he has. You have, moreover, the real suthority in these cases, authority which he would wish in the exercise of this GovETINSUŠ® S policy, to be exercisod in the direction of commutation in every possible case.
5. We should also be grateful if we could be kept fully in touch when any ospital osses arise which look as if they my reise difficulties for us here in Britain.
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