MEETING OF HONG KONG TEXTILE ADVISORY BOARD
ON 16 MAY 1969
(167)
At the request or Mr. Jordan, the Acting Director
of Commerce and Industry, and with the concurrence of the
other members of the Textile Advisory Board, I attended
a meeting of the Board at 2.30 p.m. on Friday 16 May
in the Department of Commerce and Industry Hong Kong.
Mr. Mike Daniels, the lawyer representing American
importing interests was also present.
Mr. Jordan briefly introduced me and I explained why
I was in Hong Kong and stressed the British interest in the
commercial policies of the US Government not only from the
point of view of the UK but also because of our special
interest in, and responsibilities for, Hong Kong.
In reply to questions, I explained broadly the position
taken by the UK side in the talks with Mr. Stans in London.
I said that on the basis of the information available to us
we had not been able to agree that an economic case for
action to restrain imports of non cotton textiles to the US
has been established and in these circumstances we found it
difficult to see that any useful purpose would be served
by a meeting in the GATT. I also mentioned the support
given for Hong Kong by the Minister and officials during the
London talks and emphasised the dangers of restraint in
off Stati
/ textile