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means and channels (such as informal Ministerial contacts with the Governor) to ensure that this did not happen. it would always be open to the Secretary of State to prescribe a new and longer list of posts for which appointments would require his approval; to back-track in that way might attract adverse publicity, but this would be of marginal concern in such a crisis.
10. We do not expect the Chinese to raise any difficulties about the proposed changes if they come to their attention (and there is no reason to suppose that they would). Despite the general Chinese preference for freezing
the 1984 status quo, these changes would converge with the
Basic Law.
Judicial Appointments
11. The Secretary of State's approval is currently required also for the appointment, promotion, transfer to the permanent establishment, and retirement (or extension of service) of all District Judges, High Court Judges and the Chief Justice (some 60 posts). We give approval at
Departmental level, after consulting FCO Legal Advisers,
submitting only in the case of the Chief Justice.
12. It is desirable that the Secretary of State's approval should be required for the appointment of the Chief Justice and in any case this appointment would have to be referred to him since, under it requires Royal Assent. HKG and we believe that it would also be right to retain the Secretary
of State's approval for High Court Judges. Volume 8 of Diplomatic Service Procedure provides for a continuing role for the FCO in these appointments. We should retain this
role at least until the Judicial Services Commission becomes
executive. But there seems no good reason for continuing to require the Secretary of State's approval for District
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