TNAG-0376-FCO40-422-Discussions-with-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 60

(17259) Dd.897459 250m 12/72 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863 (16941) Dd.897300 250m 9/72 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

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preef

ex Inspector Ellis that we already have the report- in

Sir M MacLehose asked how strong the pressure

was for a UK appointed Commission of Inquiry. Mr Royle

said that this would depend on action already being

taken, such as an announcement of the appointment of

Mr Prendergast or the intended amendment of the

Fugitive Offenders Act.

11.

Sir M MacLehose said that he saw the order of

events as follows:-

(a)

(b)

a decision by ExCo on action to be taken;

publication of the report and the announcement

of intentions;

(c) 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 for Godber, er. 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.

necessary to abolish the death penalty in Hong Kong by

chenging the law by Order in Council, we would inform

If it was

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/the

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