TNAG-0377-FCO40-423-Defence-and-Oversea-Policy-Committee-review-of-UK-relations--1973 — Page 49

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NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

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on the question of the Death Penalty, or on the

possibility of a non-retrospective change in the

Fugitive Offenders Act. Both these problems are of

public importance in Hong Kong, because they turn on

the extent to which local needs and local laws should

there take priority over our own. It is very possible

that the problem of the death penalty will come to a

head before January, as a result of a case where the

Governor may decide that the law must take its course.

We will have to deal with this on its merits if it

arises. We have written to the Home Office on the

question of the Fugitive Offenders Act. If agreement on this could be reached before January, an intention

to change the law could be announced in advance during

the Prime Minister's visit and would have a substantial

effect.

7.

The DTI are dealing with the question of

licensing an SAS air service to Hong Kong on the lines

agreed with the Governor. There is probably no need

to discuss this further for the present. But agreement

may turn on the amount of compensation demanded and

offered. If it appears that British Airways are

asking too much from SAS, the point is likely to be

raised in January.

8.

Another DTI subject not mentioned in the Foreign

Office minute, is the possibility of a Register of

Shipping for Hong Kong. Work on this is going ahead.

Again it would have a marked effect if agreement

could be announced during the January visit.

9.

Finally the Committee may wish to consider

progress on the rather different question of the Mass

Transit Contract. If the Anglo/Italian consortium can

/produce a

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