TNAG-0602-FCO40-750-Capital-punishment-in-Dependent-Territories-1977 — Page 36

HKG 386/1

RECES

- 8 DEC 1977

VICK OFF

INDEX

50. 51

REGISTRY Action Taken

No

ве

HK GD Q&

Forin and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

!- 7 DEC 1977

235

Thank you for your letter of 29 November in which you ask me to prevail upon the Bermudian authorities to exercise clemency in the case of Mr Burrows and Mr Tacklyn.

As you know, the executions did in fact take place on

2 December. I explained the reasons in a statement in the

House of Commons earlier this week. You may wish to see the enclosed copy which I hope explains the agonising difficulties which we faced and some of the choices open to Parliament to

deal with this problem for the future.

David Simpson Esq

(DAVID OWEN)