TNAG-0599-FCO40-747-Capital-punishment-in-Dependent-Territories-1977 — Page 44

Mr Stapley PS

CONFIDENTIAL

COVERING SECRET

HKG 380/1

148

DEPENDENT TERRITORIES: CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

Flag A 431

In his minute of 4 July to me Mr Wall said that the Secretary Flag B44of State had seen Mr Rowlands' minute and my submission of 27 May Flag Cand had approved the draft minute to members of DOP but that he

wished to enclose a copy of the proposed PQ with the minute.

Flag D

2. I submit a draft for a PQ, which has been cleared with the department's Legal Adviser. The draft minute to members of DOP leaves open the point whether the arranged Question will be written or oral. Mr Rowlands has advised the Secretary of State - paragraph 5 of his minute - that he doubts whether Ministers would get away with a written PQ. With respect, I suggest that a written PQ might still be the best way of making the announcement since it would avoid the immediate raising of other aspects of the issue of capital punish- ment as it affects the UK. The original 'Creech Jones' formula was announced as a written PQ. Since the Secretary of State has already approved the draft minute I suggest that the point about the form which the arranged Question should take be left open for the time- being. It could be considered further in the light of any comments by members of DOP and on Mr Rowlands' return to the Office.

3. Once the DOP have concurred in the proposals contained in the Secretary of State's minute we should inform Governors of the dependent territories where the death penalty is still retained of the decision to abrogate the 'Creech Jones' formula and to announce it in Parliament. The Governors of Bermuda and Belize, the two territories immediately concerned, are aware that we have been reviewing policy on capital punishment in dependent territories but they and the Governors of the other territories concerned should be told formally before the change is made public.

3. Sleut

5 July 1977

cc:

PS/Mr Rowlands o.r. PS/PUS

Mr Cortazzi o.r.

Mr Duff (WIAD)

Mr M B Collins (MCD)

Mr Bickford (Legal Advisers) Research Department

T

JAB Stewart

Hong Kong & General Department

agree throughout.

thoughout. On paraginfle

3, Governors would be informed, not consulted.

11. Staling

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COVERING

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