PERCONAL & CONFIDENTIAL
The Hon ir Lenys Roberts
ASE GC
Chief Secretary
Government Secretariat
1.CM. ACRL
нка 3802
24 November 1977
RECEIVER
MO. 51
25 NOV 1977
96
CAPITAL FUNI HALNI
1.
No
ETRY von Taken
све
You will be aware from mast correspondence resting with ICO circular telegram no Fersonal 76 to Belmopan that the subject of abolishing the death penalty in denendent territories has been under consideration in London. lou may also be aware that this Jiscussion was taking place at time when two murderers were under sentence of death in portua
7.
•
The Cabinet Committee, who have been considering this problem, concluded that it would be wrong to change the "Creech- Jones" doctrine at a time when a particular casc was under consideration, lest it be thought that the policy was being changed simply for the purpose of being able to intervene in that case. Accordingly, the becretary of Ltate was not able to intervene in the bermuca case. Lven when he was asked to advise on a Petition to the (ueen on behalf of the condemned men, having satisfied himself that there had been no miscarriage of justice, he was left with no alternative but to recommend that her Majesty should not accept the petition, and that the law should be allowed to take its course.
7.
Ministers did, however, a ree on the desirability of an eventual change in the present policy and we hope to return to the subject at a time when there are no cases pending. Since there is a case coming up in the british virgin islands that could lead to a confirmed death sentence, it may be some months before anything more happens.
cc: Lir Peter Ramsbotham
(for information)
JA B Stewart
liong kong & Ceneral lepartment
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