TNAG-0488-FCO40-553-Review-of-death-sentence-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 36

GRS 90

CYPHER CAT A

1. Bu kon

CONFIDENTIAL

135

FM FCO 131620Z

CONFIDENTIAL

TO ROUTINE HONG KONG TELNO 990 OF 13 NOVEMBER. 1974.

DEATH PENALTY: YOUR TELNO 178 SAVING

I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD INFORM THE PETITIONERS THAT

THEIR PETITION HAS BEEN LAID BEFORE HER MAJESTY. IN ACCORDANCE

WITH THE PRESENT LAW OF HONG KONG, THE COURTS ALREADY IMPOSE THE DEATH PENALTY IN CASES OF MURDER. HOWEVER, THESE SENTENCES ARE NOT CARRIED OUT IF THE PREROGATIVE OF MERCY IS EXERCISED.

I WAS UNABLE TO ADVISE HER MAJESTY THAT SHE SHOULD ISSUE ANY

DIRECTIVE LIMITING THE EXERCISE OF THE PREROGATIVE OF MERCY,

CALLAGHAN

FILES

HRIOD

LEGAL ADVISERS

PS

PS/LORD GORONNY- ROBERTS

MR MALE

SIRD WATSON

LAST

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