UNCLASSIFIED
Registry No.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
DRAFT SPEAKING NOTE
Top Secret.
Secret.
Confidential.
Restricted.
Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
..........In Confidence
To:-
Call by Mr Geoffrey Edge MP
Tuesday 4 July at 4 pm
Type 1 +
From
Telephone No. Ext.
Department
DSR11
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN THE DEPENDENT OVERSEAS TERRITORIES
The question of whether or not Dependent Territories should be allowed to retain capital punishment is one which raises complex constitutional issues. In 1965, when capital punishment for murder was suspended in the UK and again in 1970, after it had been abolished here, we invited those territories which still retained it to follow our example.
Seven territories declined to do so. In most of these
territories the decision to keep the death penalty was taken by democratically elected local governments and public opinion remains solidly in favour of hanging. Moreover, successive British Governments have taken the view that they should respect the decisions of local governments in what is essentially an internal matter. It will therefore not be an easy matter for us to impose abolition.
Dd 108087 400M S&K 1/77
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