TNAG-0602-FCO40-750-Capital-punishment-in-Dependent-Territories-1977 — Page 41

Mr H J Arcé 41 Owendwr Road LONDON

W14 9BG

HKG 380/1

RECEIVED

- 8 DEC 1977

DESK OFFL

INDEX

51

No

ве

HKG 380/1

7 December 1977

280

I have been asked to reply to your recent letter to the Secretary of State about the executions in Bermuda,

The administration of justice in Bermuda is an internal matter proper to the Bermudian Government. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs does not intervene in a particular case of capital punishment unless he has grounds to believe that a serious miscarriage of justice might take place. In the cases of the two convicted murderers, Burrows and Tacklyn, the Secretary of State considered carefully all aspects of the process leading to the final confirmation of the death sentences, but could find no evidence to suggest that a miscarriage of justice had occurred.

You will by now be aware that the executions were carried out in Bermida en 2 December.

231

7 E Quantrill