сп
HKG 380/2
ROND N NORWAY NO. 51
2 4 NOV 1980
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
1 PGISTRY
Nation Take:
auf Kavanagh →→→ M- Cory Butto
M- Deage 24/4
Mein
Brett- Made
copy
EWIAD
Secretary of State
Grignial at
reffcunt
Cult o.r.
f38
24/1
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN THE DEPENDENT TERRITORIES
The attached submission from Hong Kong and General Department outlines possible problems which may occur over the exercise of capital punishment in the dependent territories.
1.
2.
you, supported
The issues were reviewed earlier this year; by all of us, decided to uphold the status quo. Briefly, we are faced with the dilemma of whether to allow certain dependent territories to continue their present policy of retaining capital punishment for murder, which differs from UK policy, and risk subjecting themselves to pressure from national and local abolitionists; or whether to overrule the local Legislatures by abolishing capital punishment from London, so jeopardising our relations with the territories concerned. I do not believe that the situation has changed since February or that any change in policy is justified.
3.
The issue has, however, come to the fore again, particularly in the British Virgin Islands where the Governor is concerned at having to take a decision on whether to commute the death sentences on two people who are likely to be presented to him in the spring. The feeling in favour of capital punishment runs very high in those territories which retain it; the possibility of civil disturbance exists, particularly if the. sentence is commuted by the Governor in controversial circumstances. You may therefore wish to consider notifying the Prime Minister and those of your Cabinet colleagues who are likely to be interested, eg the Secretaries of State for the Home Department and Defence, and the Lord Chancellor. The submission also recommends consideration of ways of reducing the burden of decision on individual Governors. I agree that this is worth examining. I think however that it needs further consultation in the FCO and with Governors before we approach other colleagues on that point.
4.
I attach a draft letter.
R
20 November 1980
Nicholas Ridley
cc:
PS/LPS PS/Mr Hurd PS/Mr Luce
PS/Mr. Blaker
HK&GD
CONFIDENTIAL