TNAG-0720-FCO40-918-Capital-punishment-in-the-Dependent-Territories-1978 — Page 77

CODE 18-77

SS 10/76

CONFIDENTIAL

99

Reference HKG 380/1

Mr Bickford (Legal Advisers W 44/4)

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT: ST VINCENT

1. The niceties of the British Government's constitutional relationship with the West Indies Associated States are likely to be lost to the general public (and possibly some Parliamentarians) should the two executions take place in St Vincent as forecast in St Vincent's telegram no 002 (attached)

2. Are we sure that there is no way that the British Government could intervene to stop such executions taking place despite the reference in paragraph 2 of Mr Stewart's minute of 18 January "...in 1971 after the establishment of WIAS, Ministers recognised that an exercise of the power of prerogative of mercy would be an anomaly"?

60

3. There is no doubt that the British Government will be held responsible by the press and the general public should execution take place in St Vincent and we need to have a water-tight argument as to why the British Government cannot intervene in such cases to present to Parliament and to answer the enquiries and letters we will no doubt receive.

4. Prwali Offrie

事

23 January 1978

are making Here enquires.

J. Jasky

J Jasper

See (112

Hong Kong & General Department K 270

233 4069

RECT

нка 38611

25 JAN 1978

DESK UNE

INDEX

No

PA

NO. 51

REGISTRY

Action Taken

J.J.SL

CONFIDENTIAL