TNAG-0402-FCO40-448-Review-of-the-death-sentence-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 69

(17259) Dd.897459 250m 12/72 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

(16941) Dd.897300 250m 9/72 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.363

A A CON

CONFIDENTIAL

public. Both we and you will doubtless be asked about

the position.

A statement that there was to be no

change in the law would doubtless have a beneficial

effect in, Hong Kong, and if another execution does take

place you will want to ensure in advance that it does

not take people by surprise.

But equally we should

avoid an unnecessary row in this country, and a

statement of this kind would be doubly dangerous if it

was in fact followed by a further reprieve by The-

Queen. it is difficult to weigh the advantages without

being certain of the future. But I do not think we

need hurry this. I therefore suggest that we leave

the question of public statements over for discussion

with you here and that meanwhile you stress to your

advisers that whatever you tell them is in strict

confidence and is not to go further.

conf

CONFIDENTIAL