§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy, before approving the extradition of any person to Hong Kong, to seek an assurance from the Governor of Hong Kong that the death penalty will not be carried out on that person; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenSection(4) of the Fugitive Offenders Act 1967 provides discretion to refuse the surrender of a fugitive accused or convicted of an offence not punishable with the death penalty in Great Britain, if the death penalty could be imposed in the requesting Commonwealth country or dependency. It is the policy in such cases to seek an assurance, before surrendering the fugitive, that the death penalty will not be carried out. In the case of the return of a fugitive to Hong Kong such an assurance would be sought from the Governor.