CO129-594-9 Membership of Legislative and Executive Councils 31-12-1945 - 14-1-1947 — Page 74

54243/46.

73 ?

Colonial office,

Downing Street, S.W.1.

24th July, 1946.

My dear Young,

I am sorry not to have acknowledged carlier your letter of the 23rd of May about the membership of the Legislative Council. Since that time there has, however, been an exchange of official telegrams about the membership of the Executive Council and the difficulty that exists in regard to provisional appointments to that body.

In the case of the Legislative Council, Clause XIV of the Royal Instructions provides, in effect, that provisional appointments may be made whenever the seat of any Member, other than an ex officio Member, becomes vacant. The general policy, however, is the same in regard to both Councils viz., provisional appointments should be regarded as a temporary expedient and should not be used as a substitute for definitive appoint- ments. In this connection you will no doubt have seen a circular despatch on the subject of the 5th of June, 1945, of which I attach a copy for ease of reference. I was not aware of this circular when we discussed the matter in March. In view of its terms, unless these appointments come to an end at a fairly carly date, you will no doubt wish to make them definitive as soon as you consider it opportune to do so.

SIR MARK YOUNG, G.C.M.G.

Yours sincerely,

(Sgd.) T.I.K.LLOYD.