D
DRAFT
SUGGESTED STATEMENT TO THE HONG KONG TEXTILE ADVISORY BOARD
The constitutional position is that HMG is responsible
for the conduct of Hong Kong's external relations (including
commercial relations).
2.
Nevertheless, HMG have recognised that in matters not
affecting considerations of British international commercial
policy the Hong Kong Government should determine the course
of, and where practicable be responsible for the conduct of,
Hong Kong's external commercial relations.
3. Where considerations of British international commercial
policy are involved the Hong Kong Government may, as
appropriate and in full consultation and association with HMG,
exercise a similar responsibility, acting within the framework
of policies agreed with HMG and in conformity with treaty.
obligations.
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non-cotton
4. So far as textiles are concerned, HMG recognise that, with
their agreement, the Government of Hong Kong have been following
Such as one
a policy, when a situation has arisen in which Article XIX
of the GATT might otherwise have been invoked, of agreeing to
exhort voluntary restraint on non-cotton textiles where it seemed in the
best interests of Hong Kong to do so.
5. In the light of recent international developments in
1
the sphere of textiles, HMG are at present urgently reviewing
their policy as it affects both the U.K. and Hong Kong, and
in doing so they will take full account of the representations
recently made to them by the Government of Hong Kong.
will continue to keep in touch with the Hong Kong Government so
far as the interests of that Government are concerned.
6.
They
They do not wish to propose any change in the meantime
in the policy described in paragraph 4 above as far as Hong
Kong is concerned.
a particular, HMC secspt - at, so far