17KK6/24
Draft: Telegram to UKDEL EEC. Brussels.
Confidential
Your telegram No.250 EEC Common Commercial Policy
Hong
Kong.
Files
(tri)
We understand that U.K.-E.C.S.C. Steel Meeting should finish by mid-day December 1, as Wellenstein has requested, and talks with Ernst should fit into that afternoon and the following morning. We agree that there is no need for preferences to be on the agenda.
so.
2. We are anxious to keep the talks-informal as possible for a number of reasons. It was in this spirit that they were suggested by Ernst and we do not want the Commission to be able to argue, if they should come out with cut-and-dried
proposals unwelcome to Hong Kong in a more-or-less final form, that they had already had due consultations before doing
On present form our object is to learn as much as
Commitment, possible of the Commission's intentions and, without committing ourselves, give them an indication that they can expect a
restricting good deal of trouble if they are thinking of extending
On the lines proposed restrictions on Hong Kong's trade But we look forward to working out our line more fully in consultation with Hong Kong
representatives who will be in London during the previous week. You will no doubt continue to keep us fully briefed on all
relevant developments in the common commercial policy.
a
3. On textiles we cannot foresee how much there will be to
talk about. We will have to take stock of the position in the light of the outcome of the visit to Washington of the
Japanese Prime Minister on November 21st.
4. We are grateful for your offer to send Hannay to attend
the talks, but to maintain informality we think numbers should
be kept down.
EID
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Copes to Mr. R. Goldsmith
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