TNAG-0400-FCO40-446-Review-of-the-death-sentence-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 4

Bry

FS/M

FS/M Royle

DEATH SENTENCES

SECRET

Minister

Tel.

han

Issue

HKIOD

seen

MG.

1915.

1. In his telegram No 536 of 16 May, the Governor has

reported reaction in Executive Council to the announcement

of the reprieve of Tsoi. It was on predictable lines.

2. The Governor has asked for the Secretary of State's

assessment of the Parliamentary position over the next two

or three months, and in particular whether or not he is

prepared to contemplate executions in Hong Kong in special

circumstances. We cannot answer this question yet until the

Secretary of State has had an opportunity to consider the

wider problem. The Governor's telegram appears to have

crossed with FCO telegram No 479, which was personal for the

Governor from the Permanent Under Secretary and which deals

with some of the other points raised by the Governor.

3.

Meanwhile the Private Office has asked for an indication

of the timescale within which the decision on future policy

needs to be made; and about cases in the pipeline. We need

to consult the Governor on this. Sir Duncan Watson and

Mr Grattan agree however that it is in any case now unreal-

You

istic to expect to be able to submit on the policy by the

weekend.

til to

4. I attach a draft telegram to the Governor which has

been agreed with Sir Duncan Watson and Mr Grattan.

16 May 1973

Cc:-

Sir D Watson, Mr Wilford OR

Private Secretary, Mr Rushford Gib & Gen Dept

Gen

R.4. horse.

SECRET

R B Crowson

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept

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