COVERING CONFIDENTIAL
HKB 380
1990
FROM: DATE:
CC:
Mark Lennox-Boyd
11 December 1990
See below
Secretary of State
DEPENDENT TERRITORIES
1.
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
I was abroad last week and was only able to discuss this yesterday with the new Chief Whip. The picture has changed not only because of the new personalities involved but because the debate on capital punishment during the Criminal Justice Bill will now take place on Monday, 17 December, Instead of next year, The Chief Whip strongly believes that we should table the Order, with no opportunity for debate, as soon as possible thereafter. He would like this matter settled by Christmas. He feels we can deal with the issue by correspondence with OD colleagues. I have checked that this would be possible with the Clerk to OD. accordingly submit a draft minute from you to the Lord President, based closely on your minute of 19 September to Sir Geoffrey Howe. The minute asks for your colleagues' clearance by 14 December. We can then put the Order to the Privy Council on 19 December and can lay it before Parliament on the same day. We can announce the decision by an inspired PQ on 20 December. We need your colleagues' clearance by the weekend so we can advise Governors to inform their Executive Councils before the Privy Council decision.
2.
The Chief Whip is strongly of the view that no mention of all this should be volunteered in the capital punishment debate on Monday. However, in case this matter is raised, the Home Secretary should be given defensive briefing. I shall minute separately covering advice on this point.
MLB.
COVERING CONFIDENTIAL
Mark Lennox-Boyd
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