CONFIDENHAL
CAS QIPO
WHER CATA
ONG KONG 1109852
PRIORITY
CONFIDENTIAL
TOR
TO PRIORITY F C O TELNO 976 OF 11 AUGUST 1978.
15
HKA 373/393/5 RECEIVED HIS RY NO. 51 1 1 AUG 1978
COPY
INDE
NO
PA
REGISTRY
Action Taken
Ne P.P.
SUCCESSION TO ATTORNEY-GENERAL.
FOR MCLAREN. YOUR LETTER OF 13 JULY IN HK 373/393/5 REFERS.
THE DIFFICULTY OF SECURING A SUITABLE PERSON FROM OUTSIDE HONG
KONG TO SUCCEED HOBLEY HAS PROMPTED US TO CONSIDER SERVING MENDER
OF THE JUDICIARY.
2. IN THIS CONNECTION WE HAVE BEEN CHECKING EARLIER CORRESPONDENGE
WITH YOU ON THE PROPRIETY OF OFFICERS MOVING BETWEEN THE LEGAL
DEPARTMENT AND THE JUDICIARY.
3. PARA 8 OF YOUR SAVING NO 1564 OF 17 AUGUST 1965 IN FED
372/402/91 INDICATED THAT TRANSFERS (AS OPPOSED TO TEMPORARY SECONDMENTS) BETWEEN THE JUDICIARY AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT MO!!!LD
NOT BE OBJECTIONABLZ,
4. IF A SERVING SUPREME COURT OR DISTRICT COURT JUDGE WERE
APPOINTED ATTORNEY GENERAL, IT IS LIKELY THAT HE WOULD SEEK AN
ASSURANCE THAT HE COULD REVERT TO THE BENCH AFTER A FEW YEARS AS
ATTORNEY GENERAL.
5. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THERE MIGHT BE SOME CRITICISM IN LEGAL
CIRCLES HERE OF THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ATTORNEY GENERAL FROM THE
BENCH, THOUGH WE DOUBT IF THIS WOULD BE SEVERE OR SUSTAINED,
6. HOWEVER, BEFORE WE TAKE THIS ANY FURTHER YOU MAY THINK THAT IT
WOULD BE ADVISABLE TO CONSULT THE LORD CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE, AS YOU DID WHEN IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT A SUPREME COURT JUDGE MIGHT
BECOME COMMISSIONER AGAINST CORRUPTION.
ROBERTS
FILES
HRGD (6)
LAGI
(10)
(116) Q2 (23)
LEGDA ADVISERS
PS/LORD GARONWY ROBERTS
MR COCHA ZY
MR STRATION
CONFIDENTAL