CONFIDENTIAL
INDIVIDUALS. THE GOVERNOR'S FIRM MEASURES SHOULD HAVE THE
SUPPORT OF EVERY PERSSON OF GOODWILL IN HONG KONG AND BRITAIN. (K) DEATH PENALTY
THE DEATH PENALTY STILL EXISTS IN HONG KONG BUT IT HAS NOT
BEEN CARRIED OUT SINCE 1966. THE PREROGATIVE OF MERCY IS
DELEGATED TO THE GOVERNOR. HIS DECISION WHETHER TO REPRIEVE IS TAKEN ON THE MERITS OF EACH CASE AS IT ARISES.
(L) ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY
THIS IS A COMPLEX QUESTION ON WHICH I WOULD NOT WISH TO
COMMENT WITHOUT NOTICE.
(M) STERLING GUARANTEE ARRANGEMENTS
PERHAPS MY HON FRIEND WOULD PUT DOWN A QUESTION TO MY RT
HON FRIEND THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER.
(N) CHINESE REPRESENTATION'
THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAVE PROPOSED THAT A REPRESENTATIVE OF
HE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED IN HONG
KONG. THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN NO ENCOURAGEMENT TO PURSUE THE PROPOSAL. (0) IMMIGRATION INTO HONG KONG
IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA INTO HONG KONG INCREASED CONSIDERABLY ERABLY LAST YEAR (56,000 COMPARED WITH 20,000 IN 1972 AND LESS THAN 5,000 IN 1971). NUMBERS HAVE DROPPED SINCE THEY REACHED A HIGH POINT IN NOVEMBER, BUT THEY ARE STILL A MATTER OF CONCERN.
DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE ARE CONTINUING.
3. WE DO NOT YET KNOW WHICH MINISTER WILL ANSWER THE QUESTION, BUT IN ANY CASE THEY WILL NEED SUBSTANTIAL BACKGROUND BRIEFING. GRATEFUL THEREFORE FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR DELETIONS OR ADDITIONS BY 191080Z. IN VIEW OF SILLARS' INTEREST
IN LABOUR QUESTIONS WE MAY HAVE TO INCLUDE FURTHER DETAILS ON ILO CONVENTIONS (MIFT).
CALLAGHAN
FILES:
HKIOD
OLA
OPA
FED
EID
UND
PS
LEGAL ADVISERS PS / MR ROBERTS MR YOUDE SIR DWATSON
-3-
CONFIDENTIAL
COPIES TO:
HONG KONG GOVT. OFFICE, 6 GRAFTON STREET.
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