CONFIDEN TI AL
26
United Kingdom Delegation to the European Communities, 28, rue Joseph II,
BRUSSELS
4
24 October, 1969
26/0
Dear Bih,
Hong Kong and the E.E.C.
Your letter to David Hannay of 22 October about Ernst's suggestion for talks on the common commercial policy as it affects Hong Kong arrived very shortly after Bunny Carter's letter to me of 20 October, (copy enclosed), saying that the F.C.O. would be discussing with the Board of Trade a formal approach to the Commission on this same question.
2.
J
I think that, before we respond to Ernst's suggestion, we should perhaps clear cur lines a little on how we intend to play this one. Obviously we cannot turn down Ernst's suggestion nor do I imagine we would wish to do so. But I think that it would be bad tactics and certainly liable to cause bad feeling if, having agreed to his suggestion of informal talks we were to make a formal approach to the Commission before we had spoken to him. May I suggest therefore that Ernst's suggestion be taken up; our formal approach discussed informally with him; and, in the light of this discussion, for the formal approach to be put in. the other hand, we want to make our formal approach first, then I think we should at least warn him of this when responding to his suggestion.
If,
on
3. As to dates and places, there is perhaps something to be said for 2 December in London, partly because it is London's turn and partly because it might be useful for the U.K. side to have the opportunity of heving all those involved present on this occasion.
بط بالاسفار
(K.C. Christofas)
R. Goldsmith, Esq.,
Board of Trade,
1, Victoria Street, LONDON, S.W.1.
Copy to
P. Preston, Esq.
Board of Trade
P. Carey, Esq., Board of Trade.
W. Carter, Esq., C.V.O., Hong Kong Dept., F.C.O. D.L.Dunnett, Esq., Board of Trade
J. Ingram, Esq., Board of Trade
J.A,Robinson, Esq., CMG., European Integration Dept.,F.C.o. R.G. Britten, Esq., Trade Policy Dept., F.C.o.
CONFIDENTIAL