COP
CONFIDENTIAL
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
Cypher
D. 26 May, 1967. R. 26
TRATION
(D.
4.631.
"MAY
4967
23
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PRIORITY
CONFIDENTIAL
No. 712
and pa.
AG
30.8.6
Addressed to Ambassador Brussels (for Martin)No.M355 (please pass PRIORITY)
Exports of Cotton Textiles to the Benelux.
Your savingram No. 404 enclosing Benelux aide memoire. The annex to the aide memoire provides import statistics by six-digit items in metric tons, with the exception of handkerchiefs.
2
We have been unable even remotely to reconcile our export licensing figures for the same period with those quoted by the Benelux, except for handkerchiefs. This may be partly because our figures are in dozens and the conversion factors we have been applying are inappropriate. It is essential for us to achieve some measure of reconciliation of the conflicting figures before the negotiations start. Please obtain import statistics for all the items in question in quantities, at least for the more recent years (if necessary by visiting The Hague as well).
3.
One minor item is the fact that 61.03.70 and 61.04.50 do not appear to relate only to nightwear in the Netherlands import statistics, which are the only relevant ones we have here. We assume that for these two items the annex should read: ex.61.03.70 and ex.61.04.50.
4.
For your own information only, our export licensing figures for nightwear are very considerably in excess of those quoted by the Benelux, being almost three times as great over the last three years, but this could be due to the conversion factors we have been advised to use. On the other hand, for made-ups our figures in the last two years are only in the region of 50% of those quoted.
5.
The Cotton Advisory Board was consulted on 25 May and has supported the line of action proposed in our telegram No. M335 of 23 May to you; a copy of the C.A.B. paper and supporting statistics is en route to you airmail. Grateful to learn early results of your researches and any explanation you can offer of the wide variations in the figures.
(Passed as r. uested)
INTERNATIONAL TRADE DISTRIBUTION
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ARCHIVES Nɔ. 63 3 0 MAY 1967
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Copy sent to:-
Hong Kong Government Office
Mr. P. Sedgwick
CONFIDENTIAL