the contention is that a member of the Legal Department should never be considered for appointment to the Judiciary, or vice versa, Mr. de Basto should make out a case. Insofar as English practice is concerned, Treasury Counsel at the Central Criminal Court are frequently raised to the Bench as, of course, are Treasury Counsel
on the Common Law side. If, however, Fr. de Basto is referring
to temporary secondments, then this practice has in fact already been stopped at our request.
5. (1v) The standard of legislation generally in Hong Kong.
This matter has not previously been raised by the Association and
it is not yet known what point Mr. de Basto wishes to raise.
6.
(v) The question of unofficial appointments to the Legislative
and Executive Councils.
This is a purely political matter. It is suggested that the Minister should not enter into any discussion on the subject sines it is clearly not one which could be recognised as falling within the
purview of a professional body such as the Bar Association. It could well be that the Association is simply acting as an additional mouthpiece to convey to us the views of the liong Kong Reform Club,
which we have heard on several occasions before.
7.
It is suggested that the Minister should invite Mr. de Basto
to state his case under each of the above heads and say that he will
listen to any views which Mr. de Basto wishes to express and will
give them careful consideration.
Hong Kong Department 8 August, 1968