Referenc?.
Mr Cons' candidature appears to have been considered as against that of Mr Leonard and Mr Li,it does not appear that it was considered in relation to Mr Morley- John. Having regard to his candidature is it neverthe- less considered that Mr Morley-John is the best candi- date? Our question is prompted not only on an examin- ation of the reports available to us on Mr Cons, and particularly the recommendation of the former Chief Justice that Mr Cons was fit for accellerated promotion, but also having regard to the doubts of the previous Chief Justice as to whether Mr Morley-John had the qualities for appointment to the Supreme Court Bench. We would therefore wish to have an assessment of Mr Morley-John's candidature as against that of Mr Cons and an up-to-date, assessment by the Chief Justice on Mr Morley-John with respect to these aspects which had occassioned Sir M Hogan's doubts.
Paul floor.
PR N Fifoot
Legal Advisers Department W 44/3
14 May 1971
STAFF IN CONFIDENCE