CONFIDENTIAL
All these expedients would undoubtedly precipitate a crisis in
Hong Kong. The Laws of the Colony reflect the social and
political situation in Hong Kong, not in the United Kingdom.
would be a severe political and constitutional distortion to
insist that the situation in the United Kingdom must take
precedence.
It
8. I therefore recommend that the Private Secretary should
write to the Private Secretary to The Queen on the lines of the
attached draft, asking him to inform Her Majesty that the Secretary
of State is unable to advise Her to exercise Her residual
prerogative of Mercy.
9. I also attach a draft telegram to the Governor of Hong Kong
which should be despatched as soon as Her Majesty's reply is
received. This follows the form of previous similar telegrams.
The Governor has undertaken that no further action to carry out
the death sentence will be taken pending this reply.
10.
The department's legal adviser agrees.
DeSh
A C Stuart
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department
24 April 1973
I see by M: Stuart in the
no alternative
Course
the circumstances
Copy to:
Mr Shaw (G & GD)
Sir Vincent Evans
Mr Watts
CONFIDENTIAL
commanded
Kun hilford 24/24
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