CONFIDENTIAL
from Hong Kong whilst feeling in the House of Commons in England was
against capital punishment. Since then, the Governor in Council has always commuted death sentences, although with some reluctance from Unofficial members. Interest was rekindled in 1981 when publicity
was given to HMG's policy of non-interference in other Dependencies. The discrepancy between Hong Kong and other Territories is
obviously difficult but reimposition of the death penalty after so
long would be highly controversial in UK political terms, so long as
it remains proscribed in Britain.
4.
Public opinion in Hong Kong is still strongly in favour of capital punishment. A particularly unpleasant murder case which
recently resulted in a conviction, and is now under appeal, has led to renewed calls for the law to be applied. Considerable interest
has been expressed in the media about the possibility that
Parliament may vote to reintroduce capital punishment in the UK. If
this were to happen it would seem appropriate to apply the Creech-Jones Doctrine to Hong Kong and not interfere with any
decision made by the Governor.
Hong Kong Department
30 June 1983
CONFIDENTIAL