CONFIDENTIAL
3. As stated in paragraph 2, several specific cases may be imminent. However the recommendations in the submission are such that it would be preferable for them to be considered as a matter of principle and I hope that Ministers will be willing to do so.
4. I would not wish to urge any undue haste in the consideration of such a question, but I should record that a fairly early decision would help avoid a potentially difficult situation that may be developing in Bermuda.
11. Stanley
HSH Stanley
27 May 1977
1.
I am sure that there would be a major political row in Parliament
if death sentences were carried out in any of our colonial territories. It seems to me that informed opinion in this country (which is probably not the same as public opinion) does not believe that the death sentence is any longer an appropriate punishment. I agree with that.view.
2. If this is accepted the only question is how we should best
ensure that death sentences are not in future carried out and I
accept that the proposals in paragraph 10 are probably the best
which can be devised at this stage.
3. Mr Rowlands may wish to discuss the Belize case with Mr Price,
the Premier of Belize, when they meet on 9 June.
Mort Collings
HAH Certazzi
27 May 1977
CONFIDENTIAL
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