TNAG-0488-FCO40-553-Review-of-death-sentence-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 107

COVERING CONFIDENTIAL

Reference... HKK 14/1

111

(G&GD)

Mr Pauncefort (G&GD)

2. Mr Rushford (Legal Advisers)

add.

12

nothing to cod. ARR

6.7.

HONG KONG DEATH PENALTY: PETITION TO HER MAJESTY

THE QUEEN

The

1. Grateful for your comments on the attached. substance of the draft telegram is largely drawn from the draft reply to the letter on the same subject addressed to Lord Goronwy-Roberts by Mr Ben Ford MP (at C).

I am affrand the entrandsson should have been typed

2. ↑

draft.

Pol amend

you

think fit.

BH finniddy 2/8

Flag 'B'

2 August 1974

Mr Dinwiddy HKIOD (K 295)

B H Dinwiddy

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept K 295 MA632

I think we must assume that any reply given to the Kai-Fong Council will be published by it. I suggest therefore that the passages I have enclosed in square brackets on page 2 of your draft to Hong Kong should be deleted. It may be acceptable to tell a British MP of the Secretary of State's political dilemma but I doubt if we should disclose it to the Hong Kong public.

2. The background telegram from the Governor provides no dressing for the unpalatable reply which must there- fore be confined to facts: i.e. the death penalty is part of Hong Kong law; the Royal Prerogative exists and will be exercised when circumstances require.

5 August 1974

BE Pauncefort Gibraltar & General Dept K 274 MA 720