TNAG-0440-FCO40-505-Visits-of-Hong-Kong-officials-to-UK-1974 — Page 26

CONFIDENTIAL

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THE DEATH PENALTY

1.

The Governor has told us that he will reprieve future

cases. Mr Roberts is aware of this and of the reasons. He himself

is an abolitionist;

but he probably acknowledges, as we do, that

the Governor's decision is a wise one and that to have got

Executive Council's agreement to it is a tribute to his

statesmanship.

CONFIDENTIAL