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Recurs in the Love
Rec 9/3/66 My dear Hilton
Mr. Carter
9/3
2nd March 1966.
The time is soon coming when a number of appointments to the Executive and Legislative Councils will expire; and I am therefore writing to give you my ideas on what fresh appointments should then be made, and to seek your views on these proposals. It may perhaps seem somewhat, early to do this; but, after receiving your reply, there will still be a good deal to be done, and I would like to have everything settled in good time. I apologise also for the length of this letter, but I have thought you would prefer to be given the whole picture.
Executive Council
·
2. Official Members The appointment of D.R. HOLMES (Director of Commerce & Industry) terminates on 30th June 1966. The importance of trade and commerce and of questions of external trading policy are still such that I consider it would be desirable to re-appoint him for a further one year term, at the same time appreciating that before the year is up he may become a member ex-officio as Secretary for Chinese Affairs.
3.
Unofficial Members
The proposal, discussed with Mrs. White, to increase the unofficial membership of Council by two when current appointments expire was put to Executive Council on the 1st February 1966, and was unanimously endorsed. All current appointments expire on 27th May, 1966; eight fresh appointments will therefore then become
necessary.
4.
I would first propose that all re- appointments should be for 2 years, save that they should be expressed to expire on 30th June 1968 - merely to get rid of the rather silly date of 27th May. I think experience has shown that two years is the right normal length for these appointments: anything less gives an insufficient period of stability, anything more can be embarrassing if it becomes desirable to ease a member out. I have considered some staggering of the appointments, but I am at present on the whole against it. I see no great virtue in it, in this Council, and each time appointments fall due there is a tendency for speculation to arise.
Sir Hilton Poynton, G. C.M.G.,
Colonial Office,
London, S.W.1.
ORCNET
FAR EASTERN
10 MAR 1966
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