TNAG-0721-FCO40-919-Capital-punishment-in-the-Dependent-Territories-1978 — Page 23

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HAMILTON, HONG KONG,

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN DEPENDENT OVERSEAS TERRITORIES STEWART'S LETTER OF 27 JANUARY

1. Ministers have now discussed the policy of capital punishment in dependent overseas territories. They concluded that this was not the time to introduce any changes in the DOTS. They will consider the problem again at a more opportune

time. The formal position remains therefore that set out in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Memorandum on the Prerogative of Mercy in capital cases in Dependent Territories.

2. In the meantime, we can expect Parliamentary criticism for any capital sentence for murder carried out in a dependent territory.

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