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omit
suitable local candidate (possibly Chinese) could
well
perhaps be found in due course, though probably not in
the near future.
21. If Hong Kong were accorded a greater degree of
local autonomy, appointments to the office of Attorney-
General could be made locally without being subject to
UK control.
22. In some dependent territories and most independent
s and
countries the office of Attorney-General is à political
appointment and the Attorney-General is not, or need not
be, a civil servant.
23. This would be possible in Hong Kong, but, if a
politician were made Attorney-General, it might be
necessary to consider transferring the ultimate control
of public prosecutions to a Director of Public Prosecutions
who was a public officer independent of political control,
so that his independence and autonomy in respect of
criminal proceedings were seen to be adequately safeguarded.
Conclusion
24. The essential features of the present set-up need
to be preserved. There is no necessity to maintain UK
control over appointments to the office of Attorney-
General but any new constitutional arrangements must
include provision to ensure that ultimate control of public
prosecutions remains in proper hands.
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/PART IV