Mr Duff
Mr Cortazzi rtazzi
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CAPITAL PUNISHMENT: SIR PETER RAMSBOTHAM'S SUGGESTION TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE
1.
Mr Rowlands and Lord Goronwy-Roberts have both now commented on my submission on Sir P Ramsbotham's suggestion that in future the Governor would not consult but take the advice of the Prerogative of Mercy Committee. Lord Goronwy-Roberts has commented "there are some advantages in Sir P Ramsbotham's suggestion but the objections (vide in particular paragraph 5 of Mr Stewart's submission) clearly outweigh them". Mr Rowlands has commented "Like Goronwy-Roberts I find the arguments in paragraph 5 outweigh the advantages of Sir P Ramsbotham's suggestion. Additionally, I do not believe the Governor should be abrogating all responsibility for such decisions given that occasionally that decision will lead to problems of law and
The submission order for which he will remain responsible - TR".
was not forwarded to the Secretary of State and I would suggest that if we can persuade Sir P Ramsbotham that the weight of ministerial reaction is such that he should not pursue his suggestion, it will die a natural death.
2. You may wish to see a copy of a letter to Mr Duff from Mr Lloyd, the Deputy Governor of Bermuda, making it clear that Sir P Ramsbotham's suggestion actually derives from Mr Lloyd himself.
3. I attach a draft reply to Sir P Ramsbotham which I have restricted solely to his proposal of local committees on the Prerogative of Mercy.
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Y NO. 51
- 6 MAR 1978
DESK OFFICER,
INDEX
28 February 1978 No
Sir Mouff.
REGISTRY
Action Taken
B. Seent.
J A B Stewart
Hong Kong & General Dept
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