TNAG-0400-FCO40-446-Review-of-the-death-sentence-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 146

17259) Dd.897459 250m 12/72 G.W.B.Lid. Gp.863

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS' MARGIN

15941) Dd.897300 250m 9/72 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863

CONFIDENTIAL

from 1966 for successive periods of 3 years until

31 December 1975. However, at an Assembly heeting

on 29 March 1973, a motion was approved calling for

'the introduction of the death penalty for causing borb

explosions resulting in the death of one or more

persons. To make the resolution effective, legislative

action would have to be taken at a future Legislative

Assembly Keeing. Over any such new legislation,

The Queen would have the usual power of disallowance

in relation to any such legislation.

j.

Turks and Caicos

The Governor has said that he believes that the last

execution took place about 5 years ago and is seeking

details. No evidence can be traced in London of the

death sentence being carried out either in the territo

or in the Bahamas on behalf of the Turks and Caicos

Islands. The Governor cannot be certain about the State

Council's attitude to abolition, but thinks it likely

that it would prefer to maintain the status quo.

Legal Aspects

5. The death penalty in Dependent Territories where

it has not yet been abolished is provided for by the

local law. Abolition of the death penalty would

therefore require a change in the local law. This can be done either by local legislation or by legislative

action in the UK applying to the Dependent Territories.

There would however in all cases be complications in

connection with the New Hebrides.

6.

Local legislative action is possible in the care o

all territories. However, while in all cases we could

theoretically take steps to initiate the introduction

of local legislation, in some cases it might not be