CONFIDENTIAL
This has particular significance in relation to
the penalties that are being handed out for use
of bombs and other explosive devices which are the
at latest weapon in the campaign of terror that
certain militant Communist elements are pursuing. The use of
bombs
in Hong Kong This campaign has led to a public demand for the
extension of the death penalty to the offence of
possessing explosive devices;
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4. We have been asked by Ministers to look into
this suggestion of the Governor's. Our preliminary
Suffets indicates examination of the legal position that it would
not be possible to set up an arrangement of this
kind under the Colonial Prisoners Removal Act
without special legislation in Hong Kong. This
in itself may present serious difficulties However,
legal issues apart, we would be grateful to have
your reactions to a proposal that a few longer-term
prisoners might be sent to the United Kingdom to
serve their sentences.
5.
St is difficult to say at this point of
time how long
how long such
world
weed Is last
an
normality in Hong Kong
very much
on
12
Arrangement
a
return to
must depend
course of events in
mainland China (where there is much
This worked, of course, Avesent
in the C.K.
Gonfiant was with very real diffientizes both have
(and all vis-a-vis China.
Str might help to avert this firessure of we could be seen to be takmg her steps
to unprove the deterrent einpact of sentences. of inferiorment qwer for such offences.
L
which
vised this hord Shepherd will be Considering with the Governor when he units Hong Kong charlly.
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
confusion)
And
China's
holian
We would, of course
The effect of all this on Fowards the Colony. But
ensure
1
frisoners
held here
that any
are returned to
Hong Kong before release
doubt sel- a
and could ho
term to the custody here
of life unprisonment cases (if any) where,
I understand might arize.
certain special difficulties
>
S see it
St would not, as
No comments yet.
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