The Taoiseach
This morning at 10.15, Sir John Maffey 'phoned me the following reply to your message just received by him:-

'His Majesty's Government have considered your personal message sent through Sir John Maffey to the Prime Minister regarding Williams, who has been sentenced for the murder of Constable Murphy in Belfast. Having given the fullest consideration to all the relevant circumstances, they regret that the case is not one in which they can intervene.'

When Sir John Maffey had finished reading the message, he added 'That is the front, we can't say for the moment what is at the back of it.' I thought it better not to enquire into his reasons for this remark, but it may have been intended to give some slight hope.