TNAG-1031-FCO40-1281-Visits-by-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-th-1981 — Page 9

CONFIDENTIAL

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5. Either course has its difficulties.

(i) would be hard to

defend because it is inconsistent with the position in the other

Dependent Territories. (ii) would in practice entail a resumption

of executions in Hong Kong which would be difficult to defend

after such a lapse of time. (In fact there have been no executions

in Hong Kong since 1966).

6. Mr Ridley will go into these points with Sir Murray. I will

ensure that you are informed if the latter is likely to raise

the subject at Bledlow.

Вер

24 August 1981

ce without enclosure:

cc with enclosure:

R D Clift

Hong Kong and General Department

PS/Mr Ridley

PS/PUS

CONFIDENTIAL

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