TNAG-0845-FCO40-1055-Visits-of-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-officials-to-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 84

CONFIDENTIAL

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

Telephone 01. 233 4377

Sir Murray MacLehose

GBE KCMG KCVO

HONG KONG

Your reference

Our reference

DTA I

Date

10 September 1979

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

1.

At their conference in Bridgetown at the beginning of the year, Governors in the Caribbean discussed this question and Dick Posnett volunteered to put down on paper what seemed to be the common feeling among those present on this subject.

2. The attached paper was later circulated, with the intention that it should be submitted through the FCO hierarchy as a reflection of the views of Governors. The object of the exercise is simply to place the information on record, rather than ask for any particular action or decision. Dick's posting to Kampala brought a temporary halt to proceedings, and I am now trying to tidy up the loose ends.

3. Most of the Governors concerned have confirmed that the paper does reflect their views, and two replies are still outstanding. I realise the situation in Hong Kong is a little different in this respect to that in the Caribbean and Bermuda, but since pital punishment is still on the statute book, I thought you might like to see the paper and consider whether you would like to be associated with it.

4.

I should add that the paper was written before the General Election and, of course, the House of Commons debate, which confirmed abolition in the UK, but Ministers have not yet come to any decision on the dependent territory aspect.

CONFIDENTIAL

A E Clarke

Hong Kong & General Department