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CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TELNO 2360
OF 12183OZ DECEMBER 90
HKB 380/1
010542
MDHOAN 3684
&
AHOO HOL
به هر
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM MCLAREN, DUSS
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
1.
WE UNDERTOOK TO KEEP YOU INFORMED OF PROGRESS ON THE ORDER IN COUNCIL TO ABOLISH CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN THE FIVE CARIBBEAN DEPENDENT TERRITORIES.
2. YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT, PROVIDED THE SECRETARY OF STATE APPROVES AND SUBJECT TO THE AGREEMENT BY OD COLLEAGUES, IT IS OUR INTENTION TO PUT THE ORDER TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL ON 19 DECEMBER AND TO LAY IT BEFORE PARLIAMENT ON THE SAME DAY. THE DECISION WOULD BE ANNOUNCED BY AN INSPIRED PQ ON 20 DECEMBER. THE CHIEF WHIP'S ADVICE IS TO TABLE THE ORDER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE DEBATE ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT (IN THE CONTEXT OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILL) WHICH IS NOW EXPECTED TO TAKE PLACE ON 17 DECEMBER (RATHER THAN IN THE NEW YEAR AS PREVIOUSLY EXPECTED).
3. OD COLLEAGUES WILL BE ASKED TO GIVE THEIR APPROVAL BY 17 DECEMBER. GOVERNORS IN THE CARIBBEAN DEPENDENT TERRITORIES WOULD THEN BE INSTRUCTED TO ADVISE THEIR EXECUTIVE COUNCILS BEFORE THE PRIVY COUNCIL DECISION.
4. I AM SORRY TO GIVE YOU SUCH SHORT NOTICE OF THIS IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT. THE SUBJECT HAS BEEN QUIESCENT UNTIL VERY RECENTLY. THE NEW ELEMENTS IN THE SITUATION ARE THE DECISION TO PROVIDE FOR A FURTHER DEBATE ON THE INTRODUCTION OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT FOR CERTAIN GRAVE OFFENCES IN THE UK, AND THE CHANGE AMONG THE MINISTERS CHIEFLY INVOLVED. MR LENNOX-BOYD, WHO HAS BEEN ABROAD, ONLY DISCUSSED THE POSITION WITH THE (NEW) CHIEF WHIP ON 10 DECEMBER.
5. AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE ALREADY AGREED A DEFENSIVE LINE AS SET OUT IN YOUR TELNO 2744.
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