TNAG-0600-FCO40-748-Capital-punishment-in-Dependent-Territories-1977 — Page 93

CONFIDENTIAL

13

ती

GR 110

CYPHER CAT A

FM FCO 17095ØZ

CONFIDENTIAL

TO ROUTINE HONG KONG TELNO 642 OF 17/8

PERSONAL FOR COVERNOR ONLY

1. YOUR TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH MILTON: CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

2. WE SHOULD VERY MUCH PREFER IF AT THIS TIME DETAILS OF THE

DISCUSSION ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT WERE NOT DISCLOSED TO MEMBERS OF

EXCO. AS YOU WILL APPRECIATE THE SUBJECT IS A HIGHLY DELICATE ONE

FROM THE POLITICAL POINT OF VIEW AND ONE THAT WE WOULD PREFER KEPT

TO AS RESTRICTED A CIRCLE OF OFFICIALS AS POSSIBLE.

WHEN THE OFFICIAL COMMITTEE HAS COMPLETED ITS DELIBERATIONS YOU WILL

BE GIVEN AMPLE NOTICE OF ANY PROPOSALS BEFORE PUBLICATION AND AN

OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS IT WITH UNOFFICIALS.

OWEN

FILES

HK & GD

COPIES TO

MR BRYANS

CABINET OFFICE

CONFIDENTIAL