TNAG-0599-FCO40-747-Capital-punishment-in-Dependent-Territories-1977 — Page 84

Mir Stapley

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

CONFIDENTIAL

HKG 380/1

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12/6.

1. I too agree strongly with Mr Lloyd's paragraph 4. A referendum, whatever the result, would put the issue even more firmly in the political arena and again, whatever the result, would probably end up in an undesirable hardening of attitudes on both sides.

2. I agree that you should not speak to Mr Sharpe before Mr Rowlands' meeting on Thursday, 16th. But if you do see him again after that meeting I can see every advantage in trying to steer him away from the proposal for a referendum. I would certainly not suggest that you bring up with Mr Sharpe the substantive question of capital punishment as this could easily be seen by him as unwarranted interference in a domestic matter. The interference suggested in my submission will, I believe, be more acceptable as it will be a general policy applying to all dependent territories.

15 June 1977

J A B Stewart

Hong Kong & General Dept

M. Stay

Stafaut

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