TNAG-0931-FCO40-1149-Capital-punishment-in-the-Dependent-Territories-1980 — Page 111

CONFIDENTIAL

-2-

to a decision in their own deliberate judgement, which may

sometimes conflict with local opinion.

4. Cases are likely to arise soon, in the Turks and Caicos

Islands and in the British Virgin Islands where the

Governor's decision will be necessary. The Governor of the

British Virgin Islands in particular is concerned at the

responsibility involved. If he decides to commute, we may

have to support him with a show of force if necessary as in

1978.

5.

A

I will keep you informed as events progress. I see no

reason to alter the decision which I took in February of

this year to continue our policy of not legislating on

against their wishes. domestic matters for the dependencies/. But you and the

recipients of this minute will wish to be aware that that

decision carries difficulties and may cause political prob-

lems here and in the territories concerned. I am sure that

those problems can be contained but they are likely to

cause considerable strength of feeling while they last.

CONFIDENTIAL

:.

>