This is a not unusual variation by United Kingdom standards where a number of years after reorganisation differences in size of constitu- encies can occasionally reach the rder of five to one. Nevertheless, it is clearly desirable that const tuencies should contain, so far as is reasonably practicable, equal nmbers of people qualified to register as electors. This will be one of he objectives of the Constituency
Boundaries Commission who are due to submit their report next year.
You asked whether the Royal Commission of Enquiry into last year's disturbances would be dealing with the question of capital punishment. The Commission's terms of reference are to enquire into the causes, including the contributory causes, of last December's disorders, to report their findings and to make recommendations, including recommendations that decisions be reached and action taken within a reasonable time. The Comission have recently completed nearly two months of public hearins during which an extremely wide range of constitutional, political. social and economic issues were discussed and reported fully in the Bermuda press. The question of
Whether the Commission capital punishment was naturally ce of them. will be reporting and making recommendations on the death penalty in their final report, which is expec.ed in a few months time, will be for them to decide, They will have in mind that a Select Committee of the Bermuda House of Assembly examining the question of capital punishment and will be submitting ts own report later this year.
of capital punishment, it remains id in the House of Commons on find out Parliament's view on the subject, and we have not yet decided
On the more general questic the Government's intention, as I 5 December last year, to seek to
matter. But this is a sensitive
when and how it would be best to raise it.
Jani Ro
(DAVID OWEN)
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