TNAG-2084-FCO40-2969-Death-penalty-in-Hong-Kong-1990 — Page 51

CONFIDENTIAL

FM FCO

TO PRIORITY HONG KONG

TELNO 2203

CONFIDENTIAL

is foods.

HKB

380/1

200051990

TOP COPY Q DIST ?/

OF 20093OZ NOVEMBER 90.

Tes

53

112772 MDLOAN 4052

1. WE HAVE RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING QUESTION FROM LORD HYLTON FOR ANSWER IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS ON 29 NOVEMBER:

2.

''TO ASK HMG WHETHER THEY WILL TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY FOR SERIOUS OFFENCES IN HONG KONG, AND IF NOT WHY NOT.''

THERE IS NO OBVIOUS REASON WHY THIS QUESTION SHOULD SURFACE NOW.

HOWEVER LORD HYLTON TAKES AN INTEREST IN A VARIETY OF HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES. HE HAS ANOTHER QUESTION ON TIBET ALSO DUE FOR ANSWER NEXT WEEK.

3=

SUBJECT TO YOUR VIEWS, WE PROPOSE TO REPLY AS FOLLOWS:

HURD

''ALTHOUGH THE DEATH PENALTY REMAINS ON THE STATUTE BOOK IN HONG KONG, IN PRACTICE EVERY DEATH SENTENCE IS NOW COMMUTED TO A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT. THERE HAVE BEEN NO EXECUTIONS IN THE TERRITORY FOR 24 YEARS. HMG HAS NO PLANS TO CHANGE THIS SITUATION. [PUBLIC OPINION IN HONG KONG IS STILL STRONGLY IN FAVOUR OF RETAINING THE DEATH PENALTY.'']

IK

WHAT

YYYY

DISTRIBUTION

67

ΜΑΙΝ

64

.HONG KONG AGREEMENT

. (RESTRICTED)

LIMITED

HKD

HD/FED

NEWS D PUSD

RAD WIAD

PS/LORD CAITHNESS PS/MR LENNOX-BOYD MR MCLAREN

MR BURNS

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CONFIDENTIAL