TNAG-0555-FCO40-650-Review-of-death-sentence-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 56

Mr O'Keeffe

Mr Małe

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HONG KONG: DEATH PENALTY

1. In view of what the Governor says in the first paragraph of his telegram number 1112, I think we should let him go ahead as 42 he proposes. I have gone through the amendments to the text in

FCO telegram number 854 (and to the original text in Hong Kong tele- gram number 1100) proposed in Hong Kong telegram number 1113 and see no objection to them. In particular, the amendment to para- graph 17 of the text in telegram number 1100 is a distinct improve- ment.

It meets the point made in the last sentence of paragraph 4 of my submission of 3 November about the undesirability of the Governor's committing himself automatically to imposing life imprisonment as an alternative to the death sentence.

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2. Even if time allowed, I do not think it is necessary to consult Ministers again before giving the Governor the go ahead. In part- icular, what he has said in the first paragraph of his telegram number 1112 about the outcome of a further ministerial review of the death penalty in Hong Kong is identical with the view already expressed by Lord Goronwy-Roberts (paragraph 1 of Mr Galsworthy's minute of 4 November refers).

3. I submit a draft telegram for issue by Mr Male in Sir Duncan Watson's absence. I should be grateful if Mr Rushford would let me know urgently whether he sees any objection.

5 November 1975

CC:

Mr Larmour

Mr Rushford, Legal Advisers

I understand that her Rees (ford is away

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but the proposed text now seems to meet 3 November and recorded in paragraph 4 of

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