TNAG-0600-FCO40-748-Capital-punishment-in-Dependent-Territories-1977 — Page 164

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Mr Stanley PS/PUS

PS

CONFIDENTIAL

71

HKG 380/1

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN THE DEPENDENT TERRITORIES

1. The PUS pointed out in connection with the Secretary of State's

memorandum to the other members of DOP that HM The Queen should

be informed of the intention to abrogate the "Creech-Jones" formula before the arranged PQ is published in Hansard. (The PUS's minute of 7 July to the Private Secretary refers.)

2. Air Wall has informed me that the members of DOP directly concerned, together with the Lord Chancellor and the Attorney General, are expected to meet early this week to consider the Secretary of State's memorandum. If the Secretary of State's proposals are approved by his colleagues it may be decided that

Parliament should be informed before the summer recess. In that

event there would be little time in which to inform The Queen of

the abrogation of the "Creech-Jones" formula in advance of a

Parliamentary announcement. No time should therefore be lost in informing The Queen once Ministers have reached a decision (assuming it is favourable to the Secretary of State's proposals).

3. PCD, whom my department have consulted at Mr Wall's request, have advised that it would be appropriate for The Queen to be informed by means of a Private Secretary's letter. I submit a draft letter accordingly.

25 July 1977

Cc:

PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts PS/Mr Rowlands

Mr Cortazzi

Mr Bickford (Legal Advisers)

Mr Duff (WIAD)

Mr Collins (MCD)

CONFIDENTIAL

JAB Stewart

Hong Kong & General Dept