§ 36. Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received about the enforcement of the death penalty in Hong Kong; and whether he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government in this regard.
§ Mr. HattersleyMy right hon. Friend has discussed this question with the Governor. The Governor told him that opinion in Hong Kong strongly favours the use of the death penalty in extreme cases. The Governor in turn is aware of the climate of parliamentary opinion in the United Kingdom. The Prerogative of Mercy is delegated to the Governor, to be considered in each case as it arises.
§ Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communication he had from the acting Governor of Hong Kong concerning the deportation of 119 overseas Chinese men, women and children who had sought sanctuary in Hong Kong on 17th June on their way to Saigon; and what assurances they have received from the Government of South Vietnam.
§ Mr. HattersleyThe Governor informed us by telegram that on 2nd June a locally registered fishing junk was intercepted in colony waters and was found to have on board 119 illegal immigrants, all of Chinese descent, from South Vietnam. All but one were returned to South Vietnam on 17th June after assurances had been received in London, Saigon and Hong Kong that nothing serious would happen to members of the group who were victims of the syndicate which had smuggled them out of Vietnam. The South Vietnamese Foreign Minister confirmed these assurances to me in London on 4th July, and said that cases of violation of the immigration-emigration laws would be tried in open court and would not be harshly punished.