TNAG-0402-FCO40-448-Review-of-the-death-sentence-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 34

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TO ROUTINE HONG KONG TELEGRAM NUMBER 313 OF 16 AUGUST 1973.

16 YOUR TELEGRAM NUMBER 962: DEATH SENTENCE LEUNG PING-FAT

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A DEFINITE DATE FOR THE HEARING OF LEUNG'S APPLICATION IS NOT KNOWN, BUT THIS CANNOT BE BEFORE 1 OCTOBER WIEN THE JUDICIAL COMMITTEE OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL RECONVENE AFTER THE SUMMER RECESS. IN VIEW OF THIS YOU WILL NOT NEED THE DECISION REQUESTED IN YOUR PARAGRAPH 6, BY 12 SEPTEMBER, ALTHOUGH I WILL OF COURSE TELEGRAPH FURTHER WHEN MY LEGAL ADVISERS HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO STUDY THE PAPERS.

2. THE GOVERNOR TOLD MR ROYLE ON 9 AUGUST THAT HE DID NOT EXPECT THE NEXT DIFFICULT CASE TO COME BEFORE HIM UNTIL NOVEMBER,

3. THIS GENERAL QUESTION IS STILL UNDER CONSIDERATION.

DOUGLAS-HOME

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LEGAL ADVISERS PS

PS/MR ROYLE

MR LARMOUR SIR D WATSON MR WILFORD

COPIES TO:

LEGAL EXECUTIVE BRANCH

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