TNAG-0931-FCO40-1149-Capital-punishment-in-the-Dependent-Territories-1980 — Page 42

1. Nen.

From:

ΚΕΝΝΕΤΗ MARKS,

M.P.

2 WIAZD for docft refing

Mr. Pickley by 17/12

yes.

PS/Ar Ridley.

Manchester Gorton Constituency.

00000

Mr Berding

Mnay

Ref: KM/CAP

fecu.

And 10/12.

The Rt. Hon. The Lord

Secretary of State,

HOUSE OF COMMONS

LONDON SWIA OAA

HKC-38012

RECEIVED IMG STAY NO. 5T

Carrington

H.M. Foreign and Commonwe Downing Street,

15 DEC 1980

I DESK OFFICER

INDEX

LONDON,

S.W.1.

PA

on Take

BBR

10 DEC 1980

#w.

8th December,

1980.

My Wolbee for

#kal

Dear Lord Carrington,

I

When visiting the British Virgin Islands on the C.P.A. Conference earlier this year, was surprised to discover that capital punishment was still applicable on the Islands for murder and indeed two men were awaiting trial at that time. Since then, I understand that they have been sentenced to death.

Peter Blaker also informed me in a Parliamentary Question on the 29th October that there are men also sentenced to death

in Belize and one held for trial in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

It does seem to me that there is an anomaly here. These colonies have chosed dependency status and the Prerogrative of Mercy which the Crown held in this country before the abolition of the death penalty is now apparently delegated to Governors. This does seem to be a very considerable onus to place on Governors who are very often intimately concerned with the life of the colonies. I think this applies particularly in the Turks and Caicos and the British Virgin Islands where the populations are very small and the Governors are known personally to most of the population.

In his reply to me of the 29th October, Peter Blaker pointed out that Her Majesty has a residual power, on the advice of the Government, to exercise the Prerogative of Mercy.

In view of the very considerable majority against capital punishment in the House of Commons, may I urge you to advise Her Majesty to exercise this power in all cases in the remaining colonies.

I have started an Early Day Motion in the Commons on the lines of the request I have made to you.

Yours sincerely,

Ken Marks