TNAG-0721-FCO40-919-Capital-punishment-in-the-Dependent-Territories-1978 — Page 173

CONFIDENTIAL

135

92

Secretary of State

Capital Panrihment in the Depo dan't Temiston's

If

Obviously the "hybrid" motion would be preferable.

passed it would mean that you will be exercising your "abolitionist"

discretionary power within an agreed view of the House. However,

Unlike the alternative

it raises a higher risk of controversy.

motion it is a more open challenge to the democracy of and the

devolution of power to local legislatures. The second motion is

a back door method of challenging the "locals"; though it also

creates new dilemmas for a Foreign Secretary. It drops the hot

potatoes straight into his lap without any clearly defined guide-

lines as to how to handle them. If we can get away with the

hybrid motion all the better, but the second is a safer parliamen-

tary bet in my view.

31 January 1978

тк

Ted Rowlands

HKG 380/1

INDEX

No

Y NO. 51

- 8 FEB 1978

OFFICER

PA

REGISTRY

Action Taken

你&

J.J..

CONFIDENTIAL