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Annex to Brief 9
VISIT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO HONG KONG
AUGUST 1966
HONG KONG AND THE COMMON MARKET
In view of the renewed-interest in British
Membership of the European Economic Community (E.E.C.) and the important consequences this could have for Hong Kong the Secretary of State may well be asked about the position during
his visit. This note summarises present government policy on
the question of British entry and the position of the
Commonwealth, and attempts to assess how Hong Kong would stand
if Britain were to join the Community. In the absence of
any firm indication of the Government's negotiating tactics and
the attitude of the Community a number of the judgments
expressed are no more than "best guesses" In these
4
circumstances it would be wise to be cautious in any discussion
in Hong Kong, especially with unofficials.
on this below.
Present Government Policy
2.
Guidance is given
The policy so far set out by Ministers may be
summarised as follows:
(a) Her Majesty's Government are ready to enter the
4.E.C. provided that essential British and
Commonwealth interests are safeguarded.
し
(b) Her Majesty's Government are mindful of
Commonwealth interests and those of their EFTA
partners and would proceed in the closest
consultation with them, and the Commonwealth.
(c) The political will to join the .B.C. exists in
Britin today.
The real issue is not so
much whether we ought to join but whether it is
possible to negotiate the kind of terms which
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/would