TNAG-0520-FCO40-615-Visit-of-Lord-Goronwy-Roberts--Parliamentary-Under-Secretary-1987 — Page 65

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

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BRAVIRAN

دا الدار

THU FICS

Astom tim

And the Firengin &

Commonwealth

Secretary is

answerable

قا منهما

in the House

of

Сетинско.

What is your answer to criticisms that long Fong has lost its freedom to deal with a purely internal problem simply because Britain has abolished the death sentence and that even though the death penalty is still on the Statute Book, British Ministers will nover advise Her Majesty to withhold Her Frerogative of Hercy?

This is a difficult problem. I recognise the strength of local feeling in Hong Kong, but it is not purely a local problem; the constitutional responsibilty of Parliament is also inescapable. The prerogative of mercy is delegated to the Governor, under the Letters Fatent and Royal Instructions. If pressed). The delegation to the Governor does not entirely empty The queen of lier Frerogative of Mercy If,

If, after the Governor has considered the case, the condemned person in Hong Kong petitions Her Majesty, it is for the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary to advise ler on the matter/ Ministers have been told by the Governor that public opinion in liong Kong strongly favours the use of the, death pepplty in extreme cases.

hola U

The

Governor in turn/is-aware of the climate of Parliamentary opinion in the United Kingdom.

THS BRITISH ARMY'S GARRIDON IN HONG KONG AND DEFENCE COSTS

10.

When does the Dinister think that talks will begin between Hong Kong and Britain on the strength of the Hong Kong Garrison and the level of Hong kong's defence contribution? And when can a public announcement be expected?

Formal consultations will be taking place shortly between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Hong Kong. The results will be announced as soon as possible

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