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Commons on capital punishment. I was in fairly frequent telephon commmi cation with Mr Lloyd during the beginning of Novamber and I am confident that he understood that Ministers had decided that an intervention in the Burrows/Tacklyn case was not possible.
3. I submit a draft telegram for the PUS to send as a substantive reply to Sir P Ramsbotham's telegram. However, the PUS may feel that he should not attempt to answer Sir P Ramsbotham's arguments one by one and in detail. I suggest that such a procedure would lead to a protracted wrangle over details of drafting and nuances of conversation. The PUS may prefer to send a short telegram to the Governor sympathizing with the position in which he finds himself and suggesting that if the Governor does not decide to come to London after Mr Lloyd's return wa might send a senior officer to Bermuda in order to discuss in depth with the Governor and his Ministers the present position. We have considered whether this could be done before Christmas. However, I understand that thers sre difficulties in travel to Bermuda during the next two weeks and, furthermore, it might be wise to let the dust settle for a while. It would probably be easier to have a reasoned discussion with the Governor and his Ministers in the New Year. I submit an
lternative telegram. The Departmental Legal Adviser concurs.
9 December 1977
001
Sir A Duff
Sir I Sinclair
Mr Bushford Mr Duff (WIAD)
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JAB Stewart
Hong Kong & General Dept
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