OR3AC.
RES PRICTED
(94)
IMMEDIATE
10.92
CYPHER/CAT A
- 2 JUL1974
FM FCO 0117157
RESTRICTED
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TIL NO 610 OF 1 JULY. 1974
FROM CROWSON.
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION: DEATH PENALTY.
95
1. MR HAL MILLER MP (CONSERVATIVE, BROMSGROVE AND REDDITCH) HAS PUT DOWN A QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER ON 10 JULY TO ASK THE SECRETARY OF STATE WHAT REPRESENTATIONS HE HAS RECEIVED ABOUT THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE DEATH PENALTY IN HONG KONG: AND WHETHER HE VILL MAKE A STATEMENT ON THE POLICY OF HMG IN THIS REGARD.
2. I HAVE DISCUSSED THE QUESTION WITH SIR DUNCAN WATSON. WE PROPOSE TO RECOMMEND AN ANSWER ON THE FOLLOWING LINES:
**1 HAVE RECENTLY DISCUSSED THIS QUESTION WITH THE GOVERNOR, HE TOLD ME THAT OPINION IN HONG KONG STRONGLY FAVOURS THE USE OF THE DEATH PENALTY IS EXTREME CASES. THE PREROGATIVE OF MERCY IS DELEGATED TO THE GOVERNOR, TO BE CONSIDERED IN EACH CASE AS IT
ARISES''
3. WE ARE ALSO CONSIDERING POSSIBLE SUPPLEMENTARIES, AND HAVE THE FOLLOWING IN MIND:
(A) LAST EXECUTION. NO EXECUTION HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT IN HONG KONG SINCE 1966.
(B) ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY. THIS WOULD BE A COMPLEX QUESTION, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE VAERY CAREFUL CONSIDERATION.
(C) RESIDUAL PREROGATIVE OF MERCY. THE DELEGATION TO THE GOVERNOR DOES NOT ENTIRELY EMPTY THE QUEEN OF HER OWN PREROGATIVE OF MERCY, IF AFTER THE GOVERNOR HAS CONSIDERED THE CASE, A CONDEMNED PERSON IN HONG KONG PETITIOUS HER MAJESTY, IT IS FOR THE FOREIGH COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY TO ADVISE HER ON THE MATTER.
7
RUS ARTS AND.
/(D) NUMBER
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