CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG
TELNO 2203
CONFIDENTIAL
is foods.
HKB
380/1
200051990
TOP COPY Q DIST ?/
OF 20093OZ NOVEMBER 90.
Tes
53
112772 MDLOAN 4052
1. WE HAVE RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING QUESTION FROM LORD HYLTON FOR ANSWER IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS ON 29 NOVEMBER:
2.
''TO ASK HMG WHETHER THEY WILL TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY FOR SERIOUS OFFENCES IN HONG KONG, AND IF NOT WHY NOT.''
THERE IS NO OBVIOUS REASON WHY THIS QUESTION SHOULD SURFACE NOW.
HOWEVER LORD HYLTON TAKES AN INTEREST IN A VARIETY OF HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES. HE HAS ANOTHER QUESTION ON TIBET ALSO DUE FOR ANSWER NEXT WEEK.
3=
SUBJECT TO YOUR VIEWS, WE PROPOSE TO REPLY AS FOLLOWS:
HURD
''ALTHOUGH THE DEATH PENALTY REMAINS ON THE STATUTE BOOK IN HONG KONG, IN PRACTICE EVERY DEATH SENTENCE IS NOW COMMUTED TO A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT. THERE HAVE BEEN NO EXECUTIONS IN THE TERRITORY FOR 24 YEARS. HMG HAS NO PLANS TO CHANGE THIS SITUATION. [PUBLIC OPINION IN HONG KONG IS STILL STRONGLY IN FAVOUR OF RETAINING THE DEATH PENALTY.'']
IK
WHAT
YYYY
DISTRIBUTION
67
ΜΑΙΝ
64
.HONG KONG AGREEMENT
. (RESTRICTED)
LIMITED
HKD
HD/FED
NEWS D PUSD
RAD WIAD
PS/LORD CAITHNESS PS/MR LENNOX-BOYD MR MCLAREN
MR BURNS
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CONFIDENTIAL