CO129-594-9 Membership of Legislative and Executive Councils 31-12-1945 - 14-1-1947 — Page 151

(c) the support given to these men by North.

(a) and (c) also affect any punitive action which might be taken short of prosecution, e.g. exclusion from public life.

5.

Consideration was given to the possibility of instituting a rublic Enquiry but it was thought probably inadvisable. In any case, I note that the War Activities Committee which has been set up in Hong Kong is examining all the evidence there may be of collaboration with the Japanese and recommenûug suitable action in the light of their findings. We assume that they will review the Kotewall case and will consider all the factors mentioned above. It may perhaps be necessary eventually to have some sort of public statement if persons now in public disfavour are exonerated.

6. No doubt you will, in good

in good time, be sending forward your recommendations as to the Chinese who should be considered for membership of the Legislative Council on the resumption of civil Government. As the period of appointment to the Legislative Council is four years, the appointments of all those who were in office when the Colony fell into the hands of the Japanese, have lapsed. We should also be glad of your views on the question whether a Chinese should be appointed to the Executive Council.

7.

In considering appointments to both Councils, we feel that activities of the kind referred to in paragraph 2 must be given the same weight in all cases, that is to say, for example, that Sir Robert Kotewall should not be excluded from

consideration

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