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PERSON LIVES. IN THE VAST MAJORITY OF THESE CASES, PUBLIC OPINION IS IN FAVOUR OF THE DEATH SENTENCE.''

IN ADDITION, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE LATEST TWO SURVEYS ON THE SUBJECT, CONDUCTED IN 1990 BY A PRIVATE RESEARCH COMPANY AND THE GOVERNMENT'S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, STILL SHOW THAT MOST PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WISH TO SEE THE DEATH PENALTY RETAINED.

6. OUR ASSESSMENT IS THAT BOTH THE MOTION AND THE AMENDMENT ARE

LIKELY TO BE DEFEATED. OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL VOTE AGAINST THE MOTION, AND BE PERMITTED A FREE VOTE IN THE AMENDMENT.

WE WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY COMMENTS ON OUR PROPOSED LINE

AND FOR THE RELEVANT REFERENCES IN HANSARD TO RECENT DISCUSSIONS IN PARLIAMENT ON THE ISSUE OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

8.

GRATEFUL FOR A REPLY FOR 25010OZ.

FORD

YYYY

ΜΑΙΝ

38

LIMITED

HKD

FED

LEGAL ADVISERS

ADDITIONAL

1

HKGO LONDON

NNNN

DISTRIBUTION

39

NEWS D

SIR J COLES

MR BURNS

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