TNAG-0931-FCO40-1149-Capital-punishment-in-the-Dependent-Territories-1980 — Page 110

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CONFIDENTIAL

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Secretary of State

Prime Minister

Lord Chancellor Home Secretary

Secretary of State for

Defence

CAPITAL PUN SHMENT IN THE DEPENDENT TERRITORIES ·

1. You should know of problems which might arise within the

next few months over the question of the death penalty in

dependent territories..

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2. The current position is as described in the attached note

which was prepared for you in August when you saw MPs who had

visited the British Virgin Islands. The issue of course

arouses strong political feelings, both in this country and

in the dependencies themselves. There is a body of opinion

here, with some support in Parliament, which maintains that

HMG should bring the dependent territories' practice into

line with the metropolitan power and, if necessary, impose

Such demands would obviously increase if execu-

tions were in prospect. On the other hand, local feeling in

those territories which retain the death penalty is generally

strongly in favour of its use. Commutations can lead to

abolition.

protests and even violence. In 1978 a frigate was sent to

the British Virgin Islands in expectation of disturbances

when the Governor decided to commute.

3. The positionoof the Governors is awkward. They have the

same sort of responsibility as that previously exercised by

Home Secretaries in the United Kingdom.

CONFIDENTIAL

They have to come

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