TNAG-0400-FCO40-446-Review-of-the-death-sentence-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 184

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CONFIDENTIAL

The Governor told me when I was in Hong Kong

that crimes of violence were alarmingly on the

increase (140% in the last 4 years) and that the public were getting very restive and losing confidence

in the government's will to protect them. Although

no death sentence had been carried out for 7 years

he felt that he would probably have to carry out such

a sentence as gang crimes of violence were intimidating

the public and those responsible for maintaining law

and order. The Governor's feelings are very strong.

advise overruling

him if

I would only feel inclined to

you and my colleagues felt that because of recent

events here and in Northern Ireland we are almost

those of

bound to abolish the death penalty in our Dependent

where it still exists.

Territories This could become a very lively political

issue which would need a lot of consideration.

It is better to get this matter right rather

than to act in a hurry so I send this preliminary

note to you together with an account of the crime.

I am putting together a paper on the implication of

the abolition of the death penalty in the Colonies.

There is little doubt that it would cause serious

trouble in Hong Kong. I would value a talk early next week, since the Queen's decision in this particular Case must be coweyed to the Govemar very soon

I am sending copies of this minute to the Home

Secretary, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland,

Chief Whip, Lord President, Secretary of State for

Defence, Attorney General and Sir Burke Trend.

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CONFIDENTIAL