TNAG-0603-FCO40-751-Capital-punishment-in-Dependent-Territories-1977 — Page 106

нка 3861

RECEIVED

12 JAN 1978 FIDENTIAL

Disk O

INDEX

GIBURY Adrion Taken

No

&

све

335

The

hohm is abd

I wa

a häre writi

Cult

شان ل سعيد مري انسياد sub

he

odel.

نام

free você

Jene

Secretary of Skate

15201

Flag A

Now see (381)

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN THE DEPENDENT OVERSEAS TERRITORIES: BALLOT FOR PRIVATE MEMBERS MOTIONS

1.

The Secretary of State has asked that we should try to have the question of capital punishment in the Dependent Overseas Territories (DOTS) debated as a Private Members Motion on

13 January 1978. A ballot for the Private Members Motion is to be held on 14 December and the Secretary of State has suggested that the winner of the ballot, if he turns out to be a Member sympathetic to a reconsideration of the present policy, should be persuaded to put down a motion on capital punishment in the dependent overseas territories.

11

2. When the Secretary of State made his statement on 5 December on capital punishment, in his reply to Mr Arthur Latham's supple- mentary, he said "I think the House will wish to reflect on the underlying issue whether we wish to take away from the Governor, Government and the Prerogative of Mercy Committee that degree of decision making which they currently have and pull it into Westminster". He went on to say that he thought personally that the best way is for the dependent overseas territories to reflect again on the decision that was taken in this House and to ask themselves whether it would not be better for them voluntarily to change their legislation

I am preparing a parallel exercise submitting telegrams to the Governors of the DOTS concerned from the Secretary of State asking them to reflect again on capital punishment legislation.

3. Whether or not the various DOTS agree to reconsider their policy on capital punishment, it would be helpful to have a firm indication of the thinking of the House. Accordingly, I submit a draft Motion to be suggested to the winner of the Private

Members Ballot.

The Deputy Legal Adviser concurs.

13 December 1977

pu

CONFIDENTIAL

B. Stunt.

JUA B Stewart

Hong Kong & General Department

/Distribution