TNAG-0402-FCO40-448-Review-of-the-death-sentence-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 29

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for this consideration, making eight weeks in all. He does

not make it clear whether this would include time for the

Order in Council to be made. But this is not very important.

Meetings of the Privy Council are held every 3 or 4 weeks

except in summer, and special meetings can be arranged.

We

can prepare a draft Order now and clear its legal aspects with

Hong Kong• It should then be possible for the Order to be made

shortly after Executive Council have been consulted. Moreover,

if in the event this entailed a delay of weeks, which would be

unjust to the prisoner, it would at any time be possible, though

less satisfactory, to make a public declaration that we intend

to change thw law.

9. If the recommendations in paragraph 6 are accepted, we

need not draft a DOPC paper now, since so much will depend on

the individual circumstances of the case and the political

situation at the time. We only need to agree the modalities

with the Hong Kong Government as requested in their telegram

No 840. I accordingly submit two draft telegrams to Hong Kong.

The department's legal adviser agrees.

10.

22 August 1973

Cc:

PS Mr Royle

PS/PUS

Sir V Evans

Mr Rushford Mr Champion

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CONFIDENTIAL

ACSE

A C Stuart

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department

Kumhuil for

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