CONFIDENTIAL
Mercy Committee.
The only role of the British Government was to decide that the established policy did not allow them to go against the Acting Governor's advice. The claims, by the Bermudian Premier in particular, that the responsibility for the decision must lay with London, do not stand up to examination: they are simply an attempt to take the heat off himself and the Governor.
4. But we have absolutely no interest in airing these differences in public. In particular, we must respect the wish of the Governor (out of concern for his personal safety if nothing else) that as little attention as possible should be drawn to his role in the matter. Mr Latham has not specifically asked for comments on the points he raises, and I recommend therefore that he should be sent no more than a polite acknowledgement, drawing attention to the Secretary of State's proposal to bring the subject before Parliament in the near future. I attach a draft.
5.
WIAD concur.
3 February 1978
J.C.B..
J A B Stewart
Hong Kong & General Dept
CC: PS PS/PUS
Mr Cortazzi Sir A Duff
Mr Stephen
Legal Advisers WIAD
News Dept
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