TNAG-0722-FCO40-920-Capital-punishment-in-the-Dependent-Territories-1978 — Page 126

CONFIDENTIAL

Mr

Cortazzi

176

218

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN THE DEPENDENT TERRITORIES

1.

On 2 March, Sir Clive Rose wrote to me suggesting that I prepare a note, in consultation with the Law Officers' Department, the Lord Chancellor's Office and the Home Office, on the legal and constitutional implications of the various alternatives to the existing procedures governing the exercise of the prerogative of mercy in relation to capital cases in dependent territories.

2. I now attach a copy of Sir Clive Rose's letter to me of

2 March, together with a copy of my reply of today's date covering the note which I have prepared in response to Sir Clive Rose's suggestion. The note is, I think, self-explanatory.

3. You may wish to consider whether copies of the note should be sent, on a personal basis, to the Governors of our various dependent territories which still retain the death penalty for murder.

19 April 1978

Cc:

Private Secretary

PS/Mr Rowlands

PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts. PS/PUS.

Sir A Duff

Mr Stratton

Mr Rushford ·

WIAD

HKGD

M&CD

Dan Suar

Ian Sinclair Legal Adviser

CONFIDENTIAL

пка

MKG 38071

RECEN

DEGN

INDEX

No

1 5 MAY 1978

10. 51

„EGISTRY

Action Taken

See (235

Mr

219