TNAG-0722-FCO40-920-Capital-punishment-in-the-Dependent-Territories-1978 — Page 80

30/5/36

RESTRICTED

RIKEUR

Wincharen His has just (5.15pm) reached me? but I do not think it affects on subsewe

submissfor

PS/Mr Bowlands

241

DESK

INDEX

HKC 38671

- 6 JUN 1978

5.51

HSTRY

Anhill

PA

Action Taken

Yerr

ве

ді

Capital Punishment in the Dependent Perriteries:

The Outstanding Cases

The Secretary of State has seen Mr Rowlands' minute of 23 May covering a chart setting out the position on outstanding Capital Cases in the Dependent Overseas Territories.

On the case of Sylvester Gaston, the Secretary of State has commented:

"I will deal objectively and judicially with the Gaston case, if it comes to me, within my existing powers.

The Department will wish to take account of this comment in preparing their submission on the Sylvester Gaston case. The Secretary of State is clearly not as concerned at the implications of the case coming to him as I had anticipated. But I still think that a full account of what has happened so far and of likely developments would be useful.

30 May 1978

cc: PS

Alball

PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts

PS/Mr Judd

PS/Mr Luard

PS/PUS

Sir A Duff

J S Wall

RESTRICTED

Mr Murray

Mr Hall

Mr Rushford WIAD

Mr Stratton MCD

Mr Cortazzi News Dept Mr Stewart