TNAG-0082-FCO40-118-Proposals-to-extend-the-death-penalty-1967 — Page 23

Cypher/Cat.A。

IMMEDIATE

SECRET

TOF COF 477

HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (D,T.D.)

Telne. 1393 15 September, 1967.

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SECRET

Following for Galsworthy.

My telegram No. 1386: Death Penalty.

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The death of two children on 20 August (the first bomb fatalities) aroused widespread feelings of baffled rage and revulsion. Even the Communists realised this was going too far. Y.K. Kan, in asking in Legislative Council en 23 August that consideration be given to extending the death penalty to "crimes involving bombs" was voicing a publio demand for tougher action by the Government in a situation which had created a grave sense of frustration in the public mind. This was reinforced by the atrocious murder of Lan Bun and his cousin on the following day and again on the 28th by the naming of Y.K. Kan as an assassination target partly on the grounds that by advocating extension of the death penalty he was a proved traiter.

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The introduction of the death penalty for bomb **fences in that last week in August, when emotions were highly charged, would certainly have given satisfaction to a large section of the public. I think, however, it would probably have worn off

fairly seon unless quickly followed by convictions and executious, which would be unlikely

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In the event no further fatalities to catch the public imagination occurred in the last three weeks and there has been some reduction in tension and bomb incidents. This hes tended to reduce pressure for extending the death penalty, although 14 could quickly rise again. The meeting of such a demand would, in my opinion, be seen chiefly as an earnest of the Government's determination to take the strongest measures against the Communists. The effect would be important psychologically but I doubt if in the public mind there is much consideration of tks deterrent effect on individuals or much knowledge of the severity of existing penalties for bomb offences.

I have pet consulted Executive Council fermally without knowing your views but my estimate is that (as when the death penalty for murder was last considered) a majority at least of Chinese members would favour extension and most, if not all, non-- Chinese oppose it. I believe the Chief Justice would on principle not wish to see any extension.

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DWAY/O

们

SECRET

THIS IS A COPY

THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN RETAINED

IN THE DEPARTMENT UNDER SECTION

3(4) OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT 1958

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