TNAG-0701-FCO40-854-Appointment-of-Attorney-General-and-Solicitor-General-in-Hon-1978 — Page 107

CYFER CATA

FVONG KONG 116966Z

PRIORIT

CONFIDENTIAL

HKA 370,893 15 RATAVAD NI JUMS.TY NO. SI 1 1 AUG 1973

TO

INDEX

{PECISTRY

Action Teken

1P.P.

TO PRIORITY F C O TELNO 976 OF 11 AUGUST 1978.

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 CORRESPONDENCE.

WITH YOU ON THE PROPRIETY OF OFFICERS MOVING BETWEEN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND THE JUDICIARY.

3. PARA & OF YOUR SAVING NO 1564 OF 17 AUGUST 1965 IN FED.

378/408/81 INDICATED THAT TRANSFERS (AS OPPOSED TO TEMPORARY SECONDMENTS) BETWEEN THE JUDICIARY AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT WOULD

NOT BE OBJECTIONABLE.

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 BONGH, THOUGH WE DOUBT IF THIS WOULD BE SEVERE OR SUSTAINED,

6. HOWEVER, DEFORE 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

HRGO (6)

LBGAA ADVISERS

PS/LORD GORONWY ROBERTS

MR euer ZX

MR SPRATION

LACT

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4.0.

CONFIDENHAL