TNAG-0401-FCO40-447-Review-of-the-death-sentence-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 17

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

CONFIDENTIAL

confrontation on this sensitive point which

involves their confidence in the future.

5. All three courses, therefore, involve

political dangers. We must act slowly and

deliberately. But I believe we must now

choose. If we choose the status quo we might be able to minimise the risk here by presenting

the facts to Parliament and asking them to

support us in a free vote. But Hong Kong would

not be mollified if the vote was for abolition,

and this presentational device does not avoid the underlying choice. The Governor of Hong Kong has advised that if possible we should leave the law as it is; but that if not, we should delay as long as we can, rather than take immediate steps to change the law. I give great weight to his arguments, but do not necessarily accept them as conclusive.

I therefore invite my colleagues: (a) To agree that we should not force the

6.

(b)

(1)

Indent >

ii)

abolition of the death penalty for murder

in those Dependent Territories that have

elected legislatures, with the implication

set out in paragraph 2 above

To advise, in relation to Hong Kong,-

whether we should leave the law as it is;

as it is

leave the law for until the next serious

For

case arises; or

iii) take early steps to change the law.

5

Foren & Commonwealth Office CONFIDENTIAL

AD-H.