TNAG-0376-FCO40-422-Discussions-with-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 16

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appointed Commission of Inquiry Mr Royle said that this would

depend on reaction to the steps which the Governor was already

taking, such as an announcement of the appointment of

Mr Prendergast.

Amendment of the Fugitive Offenders Act, if

decided upon, would also be important.

11.

Sir M MacLehose said that he saw the order of events on the

Blair-Kerr report as follows:-

(a) a decision by ExCo on action to be taken;

(b)

(c)

publication of the report and the announcement of

intentions;

the setting up of the new Anti-Corruption Office.

Mr Royle said he could consult the Whips, the Attorney General

and the Opposition quite quickly. Sir M MacLehose thought that

perhaps any reference in the Blair-Kerr Report to possible

amendment of the Fugitive Offenders Act should be excised before

publication in order not to alert Mr Godber.

DEATH PENALTY

12. Mr Royle said that, if another case came up where the

Governor could not, in the circumstances of Hong Kong, grant a

reprieve, but Ministers for UK reasons could not allow the law to

take its course, he agreed that the law would have to be changed.

The Secretary of State had accepted this. It was therefore

necessary to tie up contingency plans for procedure. If it was

necessary to abolish the death penalty in Hong Kong by Order in

Council, we would inform the Governor within 5 weeks of receipt

/of

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