TNAG-0602-FCO40-750-Capital-punishment-in-Dependent-Territories-1977 — Page 99

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PS/Mr Rowlands

HKG 38671

REVEVO BURY NO. 51 1 2DEC 1977

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

REGISTRY

edon Takun

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CAPITAL PUNISHMENT: BERMUDA

TELEGRAM FROM THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY

1. The attached telegram from the Secretary-General of the Communist Party, Mr Gordon McLennan, urges the Secretary of State

to intervene to stop the Bermuda executions. Under the present policy towards capital punishment in the dependent territories, the Secretary of State can only intervene if he believes that there

has been a miscarriage of justice. This is clearly not the case in

Bermuda.

2. As a result of recent Parliamentary interest, the Secretary of

State has sent the Governor of Bermuda a telegram stressing the

concern of Parliament over the executions and, in his reply, I recommend that the Minister should point out the constitutional

limitations on the Secretary of State, adding that he has, never-

theless sent a telegram to the Governor.

I submit a draft letter.

2 December 1977

CC:

PS

PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts PS/PUS

Mr Cortazzi

Mr Stratton

WIAD

News Dept

Mr Stephen

1.0. B. Slend

JA B Stewart

Hong Kong & General Dept

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