CONFIDENTIAL
4. Since the first half of the 70s it has proved possible to reduce violent crime by means other than use of capital punishment, and the issue is no longer so hot. No death sentence has been carried out since November 1966. In these circumstances I think we should all consider very carefully before reintroducing the application of capital punishment here. It would certainly not be in keeping with Ministers' decision to let sleeping dogs lie.
5. For the same reason I do very much hope that no publicity will be given to Ministers' decision in respect of other territories.
6. The justification offered for the application of the Creech-Jones doctrine in other territories and its negation here has been that there is no elected legislature in Hong Kong and the advice given to the Governor-in-Council is not derived from locally elected representatives.
7. The issue remains dormant here at present, but if the death penalty were ever to be reintroduced in the United Kingdom, even for a limited range of murders, the situation would change radically and there would be a widespread renewal of demand for the application of the death penalty. In that case we would probably be obliged to press HMG to reapply the Creech-Jones doctrine here.
8.
This letter should also be taken as a belated reply to Anthony Clarke's letter to me of 10 September 1979 (your reference DTA 1).
9.
I
I should add that this letter is strictly confidential. I could not agree to being publicly quoted as having advised against reintroduction of capital punishment without first seeking the advice of Executive Council. am sure that in the circumstances you do not wish me to do this.
Yous
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CONFIDENTIAL
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