TNAG-0488-FCO40-553-Review-of-death-sentence-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 52

CONFIDENTIAL

GRS 130

CYPHER/CAT A

FM FCO 071340Z

CONFIDENTIAL

(HKK 14/1)

TO ROUTINE HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO. 862 OF 7 OCTOBER.! 1974.

·LAST

FROM STUART.

REF.

182

NEXT

Ref.

YOUR TELNO. 986: DEATH PENALTY.

126

(124)

1. YOU WILL APPRECIATE THAT WE CANNOT SUBMIT THE PETITION TO MINISTERS UNTIL AFTER THE ELECTION.

2. I TAKE THE POINT IN YOUR PARA. 1. BUT THE FINAL SENTENCE IN YOUR SUGGESTED REPLY DOES READ RATHER CONFUSINGLY,

ON REFLECTION I THINK WE SHOULD ALSO DEAL DIRECTLY WITH THE PROPOSAL THAT THE DEATH PENALTY SHOULD BE INTRODUCED FOR ROBBERY. WOULD YOU AGREE TO SOMETHING ON THE FOLLOWING LINES, TO FOLLOW IS EXERCISED''.

''

QUOTE I WAS UNABLE TO ADVISE HER MAJESTY TO ISSUE ANY DIRECTIVE INSTRUCTING THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT THAT WHERE THE PREROGATIVE OF MERCY IS EXERCISED, EXECUTIONS SHOULD NEVERTHELESS BE CARRIED OUT. NOR WAS I ABLE TO ADVISE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE DEATH PENALTY FOR ROBBERY. UN QUOTE.

CALLAGHAN

FILES

HKIOD

GIB & GD

FCD

PS

FS/LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

SIR D WATSON

MR MALE

CONFIDENTIAL