SECRET
Record Cop-
14
Commonwealth Office,
Curtis Green Building,
London, S.W.1.
HWB 14/40)
17 November, 1967.
Ans bas
ако
Lord Shepherd, in discussion with us about the situation in Hong Kong, has saiû that he seems to discem a new pattern in recent bomb incidents. He gets the impression that the manufacture of the bombs is becoming more sophisticated; that, increasingly, the police are the targets; and that the campaign is far more selective and therefore organised than it has been hitherto. At official level we do not altogether share these impressions but it would be most useful if you could let us have your thoughts on the way in which the use of bombs is developing.
2. Our discussion covered also the question of stiffening the penalties for possession of explosives, short of the introduction of the death penalty. As you know, this was discussed in Hon Kong on 16 October and for the time being consideration of introducing a mandatory death penalty has been left in abeyance. Lord Shepherd has, however, indicated that early consideration might in his view be given to the question of stiffening the present sentences relating to offences involving explosives. In particular he suggests that there might be a case for introducing a mandatory minimum penalty, e.g. the law might prescribe that possession of explosives should be punished with not less than 14 years not more than 20 years imprisonment. If young offenders know what the minimum penalty is and that even their tender years are not going to enable them to get off more lightly this might have a much stronger deterrent effect. We would be grateful for you views on this point also.
and
LAST
NEXT
(1
}
D. R. Holmes, Esq., C.B.., M.C.,
Colonial Secretariat,
Hong Kong.
(W. S. Carter)
سیما
2,67
30.12.
ANG.
11/12
SECRET
سیما
10. 12,67
6.
ож
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.