TNAG-0755-FCO40-959-Security-arrangements-at-Kai-Tak-Airport-1978 — Page 15

CONFIDENTIAL

4. IF YOU USE IT PLEASE WARN US IMMEDIATELY. WE WOULD TAKE THE LINE

THAT ABOLITION HAS BEEN UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR SOME TIME IN THE LIGHT OF THE DIMINISHING USE MADE OF THE PUNISHMENT BY THE

COURTS AND INCREASING DOUBTS AS TO ITS EFFECTIVENESS AS A DETERRENT.

5. IF PRESSED FOR DETAILS, WE WOULD SAY THAT THE MATTER HAS NOT YET REACHED THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BUT THAT ITS ADVICE WILL BE

SOUGHT BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

MACLEHOSE

FILES

HK & GD (6) DEFENCE D

NEWS D

PS/LORD GORONWY ROBERTS

MR MURRAY

COPIES TO:

HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE

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CONFIDENTIAL

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