TNAG-0837-FCO40-1045-Capital-punishment-in-the-Dependent-Territories-1981 — Page 6

CONFIDENTIAL

Mr Cortazz

PS/PUS

Paragraph 2 (a) and (c) above (the Hong Kong aspect is important) point to the inaction suggested by Mr Cortazzi. Difficult cases may be rare; but when they occur I do not think we should overlook the strain they place on Governors. I was reminded this week in the British Virgin Islands that public resentment about the commutation by the previous Governor of 2 death sentence for murder is still smouldering over a year later.

R.J.Sh.tr.

RJ Stratton

19 October 1979

Para 2 (c) of Mr McLaren's minute. I understand that the Governors of Belize and

Bermuda concurred.

Mr McLaren can produce

more details if required

2.

While

• accepting the strain

I think that it would be politically difficult

on

Sovernors

to make changes now

I acthere to

and

Carlier recommendation of inaction

Was Corlag.

19/7/79

my

*

CONFIDENTIAL