Mr Harding
Mr Day
Sir E Youde
PS/Mr Ridley
Mo Morrice
CONFIDENTIAL : STAFF IN CONFIDENCE
Spares an
castel
Pandina
A
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN THE DEPENDENT TERRITORIES
Problem
1.
To recall to Ministers the issues involved over the existence
of capital punishment for murder in certain Dependent Territories and
to mention the particular problem in the British Virgin Islands.
Recommendation
2.
I recommend that the current policy of non-intervention in
the domestic legislation of the Dependent Territories be maintained
but that Ministers consider whether there are any feasible means
of lessening the burden of decision on individual Governors.
Mr Ridley wishes to draw the attention of his Ministerial colleagues
to problems likely to arise over particular cases, and to suggest
that Cabinet colleagues be informed. I submit a draft minute from
Mr Ridley to the Secretary of State, and a draft letter from the
Secretary of State to the Prime Minister.
Background
3.
The background to the problem as a whole is in my submission
.of 29 January, which invited Ministers to consider whether to maintain
the present policy or to impose abolition against the wishes of the
local Legislatures. Ministers decided to continue the present policy.
4.
Since then, a number of cases have arisen in certain Dependent
Territories which may result in the local Governors having to decide,
in accordance with the usual constitutional procedure, whether
CONFIDENTIAL: STAFF IN CONFIDENCE
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