CONFIDENTIAL
XCC(92)160
LEGISLATIVE TIMETABLE
7
Subject to Members' approval of the introduction of this Bill into
the Legislative Council, the legislative timetable will be -
Publication in Gazette
30 October 1992
First Reading and commencement of the Second Reading debate
11 November 1992
Resumption of Second Reading
debate, committee stage and Third Reading
To be notified
FINANCIAL AND STAFFING IMPLICATIONS
8
The abolition of capital punishment is likely to result in some savings, albeit marginal, because it will no longer be necessary for the Administration to go through the current lengthy administrative and legal procedures for the commutation of death sentences, and the Correctional Services Department will no longer be required to keep condemned prisoners separately and under special conditions.
China Dimension
9
The Chinese will dislike plans to abolish capital punishment, particularly in respect of treason. They may argue that treason is a crime against the state and the penalty should be the same throughout the PRC. They may challenge the representativeness of the Legislative Council's vote. They may even go so far as to say this move will need to be reviewed or reversed after 1997. But it is quite clearly a matter for Hong Kong to decide. If the Chinese make representations to us on the subject, we can point out that the future SARG will be at liberty to review its position with respect to capital punishment, just as we are able to up to 30 June 1997.
PUBLIC REACTION
10
Despite the Legislative Council motion in June 1991 favouring the abolition of capital punishment, our assessment is that public opinion on this issue is still divided and public reaction to the proposed legislative