TNAG-1993-FCO40-2840-Prisoners-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 42

FPRU USE ONLY

O P Date23/10/89

SERIAL NO:2765

PARLIAMENTARY OUESTION

For WRITTEN ANSWER on

26/10/89

Head of

HKD

Please submit:-

a draft Answer &

background

to Parliamentary Unit

سلام

before

NOON 25/10/89

PARTY

La

TEXT OF QUESTION :-

MR CHRIS SMITH. (ISLINGTON SUUTH) To ask the Secretary of State/HMG;

if he will ensure that prisoners in Hong Kong jails in 1997 will not be made subject to the death sentence for offences committed before the transfer; and if he will make a statement.

MCD 383/2

to P/S

MR. MAUDE

(Minister)

for approval by

NOON 20 001 1989

PQs

REPLY (s)

for answer by

MR. MAUDE

(Minister)

ANSWER:

Persons imprisoned in Hong Kong will, in accordance

with the provisions of the Joint Declaration relating

to the continuity of laws, remain subject to Hong

Kong law. The Joint Declaration also provides that

the International Covenant on Civil and Political

Rights as applied to Hong Kong shall remain in force

after 1997. In this connection it is noteworthy that

Article 15 of the Covenant prohibits the imposition

of a heavier penalty than that applicable when the

offence was committed

copy to

Private Secretary

PS/

(Minister)

Parliamentary Clerk

Ju

authorised

(Head of Dept.)