TNAG-0082-FCO40-118-Proposals-to-extend-the-death-penalty-1967 — Page 1

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in the particular circumstances in Hong Kong because current bomb incidents

soon to be more the work of dedicated hard-corc Communists than that of

hirod thugs. The mooting of a public demand for such a ponalty would bo soon mainly as an oarnost of the Governmont's dotomination to tako tho

strongest noasuros against the Communists. Tho offect on the public would thoroforo be important psychologically but it is doubtful if in tho public mind thoro is much consideration of the possible dotorront effect

on individuals. The Acting Governor did not consult his Executive Council

on this subject but ho estimated that a majority at least of the Chinoso

nombors would favour the introduction of tho doath penalty for the purposes

statod; that most if not all non-Chinoso monbors would opposo it and that

the Chief Justico, on grounds of principle, would also probably be opposed

to it.

9.

It was suggested to the Acting Governor that, as an alternative to

the proposals which ho has put forward, the unlawful possession of oxplosivos,

etc., night carry the penalty of life imprisonront and that the death penalty should be confinod to the offonco of attempted murder by moans of explosivos otc. It is thought that such a course would lesson tho dangor of Chinoso roprisals although the risk of such rotaliation would still exist. The Acting Govornor and his immediato advisors themselves

came to the view that in fact such a course would be proforable and thought

that public acceptance of such a noasuro could be socurod.

10.

The Covornor in discussion horo indicated that ho had considerablo

roservations about those proposals which he would wish to consider further on his roturn to Hong Kong. In another connection ho had put forward the viow that long prison sentonces night no longer bo having a dotorront offcct because prisoners word told or lod to boliovo that they could

oxpoot to bo roloased soon with the overthrow of British rulo and that

the way to doal with this right bo to sond long-term prisoners to the United Kingdom to serve out their sontoncos. Ho folt that this proposition (if it could be accepted) coupled with longer imprisonment penaltios right noot the public donand for stiffor ponal tios. It was agrood to look into

this.

11. With the current lossening of tension in Hong Kong and the decrease

in the number of serious bomb incidents, public pressure for the introduction

of the death penalty for the possession of explosivos, etc. has diminishod,

but it could quickly revivo if the situation wors to deteriorate. In that

ovont it might bo nocossary to introduco sono form of storn action in order to prosorvo public confidonco. Failing the introduction of the anath ponalty, thoro right bo prossure for measures such as action against tho main Communist Pross or for the detention of loading local C.P.G. supporters.

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Dago 10

/12. Tho

age 10

age 10