FOSTER

Deputy Solicitor General Patrick Foster, Q.C., has been appointed by the Public Service Commission (PSC) to act as Solicitor General.

The acting appointment became effective on Tuesday.

Mr. Foster will act in the post until the dispute between the Government and the PSC relating to the appointment of a Solicitor General is resolved.

Solicitor General Michael Hylton, Q.C., resigned at the end of October.

It was reported that the PSC had recommended to Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall that Professor Stephen Vasciannie should be appointed to the post. Vasciannie is a professor at the University of the West Indies. He is a consultant in the Attorney-General's Department and holds the title of Deputy Solicitor General.

However, there are reports that the Government is not satisfied with the PSC's choice for the post.Concerns have also been raised in legal and political circles that Professor Vasciannie is not a seasoned advocate.

The three applicants for the job were Professor Vasciannie, former Deputy Solicitor General Douglas Leys and Mr. Foster.