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CONFIDENTIAL
18.
Rescues by UK vessels considered on merits case by
case. Hong Kong Government would prefer blanket guarantee
to resettle all rescued by British ships, as given by most
other countries, eg US, France, West Germany
19.
Hong Kong have suggested keeping up small flow of
refugees from Hong Kong to UK by widening criteria for
'family reunion'. May not be politically feasible at present,
given large numbers already in UK, and commitment to take
1,500 Poles from Austria.
Capital Punishment
20.
Capital punishment is penalty for murder under Hong
Kong law. Last execution was in 1966. In 1973, Secretary
of State (Sir A Douglas-Home) intervened to prevent an
execution in Hong Kong.
Since then Governor in Council has
always commuted death sentences.
Initially UMELCO and Hong
Kong public most dissatisfied but have come to accept position.
Some interest rekindled in 1981 when it became known that
Two
HMG's policy in other dependencies was not to interfere. -FCO recent murder ases because of their nature, have rakindled a
Ministers agreed in 1981 to maintain status quo. call for the reintroduckai of hanging.
Macao and Portugal's Accession to the EC
21.
Concern in Hong Kong that, when Portugal accedes to the
EC, Macao may be treated more favourably than Hong Kong.
Lord Carrington gave assurance in Hong Kong in April 1981
that this would be unacceptable to HMG. Policy has not changed
since then.
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