TNAG-0375-FCO40-421-Discussions-with-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 33

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could give such an undertaking.

2. Sir Murray MacLehose commented that of all

fields, this was one where consistency was

essential. It would be morally wrong and politi-

cally dangerous for the Government to give the

appearance of changing its mind for frivolous

reasons.

3. Mr Royle said the danger was that there might

be a row and the Government would have to change

its mind. Sir Alec Douglas-Home replied that if

such a row seemed likely, he would take, the matter

on the next or indeed in earl occasion. back to the DOPC, though he did not want to. Even

abolitionist Ministers had supported the line

which he had outlined.

Vo mailan the dealt

penally

In his view a decis im had been taken. and should be adhered to

4. Sir Denis Greenhill said that the row, if any,

would be likely to arise post facto.

We had agreed

a

ww

a procedure whereby the Governor would give the

advancs

Foreign Office notice of his probable decision, so

that if Ministers decided not to support him they

adopt the alternative couse of changie

could change the law before his decision was made

public. This seemed reasonable; but the trigger

commented

for a campaign against an execution would come

publicly later, when the Governor/confirmed a death sentence

5. Mr Royle replied that if Ministers decided

at the preliminary stage to support the Governor,

then they would have to stick to this, unless new

facts came to light, for example in the prisoner's

Petition to The Queen, suggesting that there might

have been a miscarriage of justice. Ministers

would thus, if they took this decision, reaffirm

the policy followed before the recent case of Tsoi.

There was

1

the diffrently was that if

pubbli row about the foremments decision to support the fovernor would be likely to arise foot tadlo.

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