JUNABW
CODE 18-77
Reference.
HKB 380/1 GECEIVED IN
MR CHAMBERLAIN LEGAL ADVISERS
10 JUL 1990
FROM:
RS GORHAM, WIAD
DATE:
29 JUNE 1990
CC:
MISS GLYNNE EVANS, MR PAUL, HKD
UND
THIS
COPY
FCR
MR BUTT, POLICY PLANNING
STAFF
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
1. You will have seen Mr Beamish's minute to me of 6 June in which he asks for recommendations of the next steps. I have come to the conclusion that we must take the bull by the horns and tackle the Home Office now in an effort to add an appropriate clause to the Criminal Justice Bill. There will of course be resistance there, and no doubt in the Cabinet Office as well. I attach a draft submission, which I should like you to examine carefully. I have not spelt out every point in detail, as to do so would make the submission far too long, and would tread again over well worn ground. However, there may be some useful points in the argument with the Home Office which I have missed. If this manoeuvre fails, I fear that we shall have no choice but to continue limping on dealing with one mini-crisis after another on
an ad hoc basis. Meanwhile, pressure at home and overseas for abolition will grow. We shall be particularly ill-placed to do anything if the OAS goes ahead with its own proposal to abolish capital punishment in the region.
2.
Grateful for your views by close of play on 3 July.
кс
RS GORHAM
CONFIDENTIAL