TNAG-0603-FCO40-751-Capital-punishment-in-Dependent-Territories-1977 — Page 72

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Jay P.A

SIR MICHAEL MALUSER'S

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CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN DEPENDENT TERRITORIES: PRIVATE MEMBERS' MOTION. (Mr Stewart's submission of

13. December)

1. I attach a revised and shorter wording for the Motion. But, with respect, I wonder whether the Secretary of State will not wish to reflect further on this idea. I should like to draw to his attention three considerations which I think militate against it.

2. First, I am concerned at the risk that, if the Secretary of State's hand were detected, other members of GEN 103 might find his action inconsistent with the conclusions of their discussion on 13 October. Unless the Secretary of State has discussed the proposed action with the Prime Minister, I would suggest that no approach to the winner of the ballot should be made unless he is someone on whosé discretion the Secretary of State can rely.

3. Secondly, if a debate on 13 January were arranged, it would I imagine be necessary for the Secretary of State to clear in GEN 103 what he, or any other government spokesman, should then say. This would be no easy task, given the difficulties of arranging ministerial meetings over the Christmas holidays.

4. Thirdly, and equally important, may I with diffidence suggest that an issue of this importance is not one to be raised on a Private Members Motion, but one which the Government itself will wish to raise, if it is not to run the risk of seeming to shirk its responsibilities.

5. In short, I believe that the action proposed would carry serious risks of embarrassment, further confusion, and public criticism. I hope that the idea will not be pursued.

Achael

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Michael Palliser

13 December 1977

cc PS/Lord Goronwy Roberts

PS/Mr Rowlands

Sir A Duff

Mr Stratton

Parliamentary Unit

Mr Duff (WIAĎ)

Mr Rushford

Mr Stephen

Mr Stewart

HKC 386/1 нка

RECEIVED TITOG STRY NO. 51 15DEC 1977

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