0003230
G.F. 323
CONFIDENTIAL
11
-
44.
Mr. Engebrigtsen revealed that if Hong Kong statistics of jackets, jumpers, sweaters, cardigans, and pullovers, knitted or crocheted wholly or mainly of wool, men's and boys' wear (item 841.462) had 'not shown a sharp increase in exports in 1968, the Norwegian delegation would not have pressed for an export authorisation system since their figures indicated a decline in Hong Kong's share of the market together with stagnated production. In reply to Mr. Jordan's remarks that Norway exported a considerable quantity, presumably of a different quality, Mr. Engebrigtsen explained that Norwegian knitters had their main line in heavy knitwear of a traditional pattern which was nowadays freely copied by other countries.
45.
In view of the slight overall increase in Hong Kong's exports to Norway over the last three years, Mr. Jordan thought that there was only a marginal case for surveillance. As an alternative to a formal export authorisation system, he offered to send fortnightly statistics of exports licensed so that at the first sign of imminent threat, the Norwegian Government could request that the issue of further licences be suspended pending consultation. A formal export authorisation scheme ! was a device which could result in speculation leading to an unnatural increase in the level of exports which would not otherwise have occurred. This risk could be avoided if the Norvegian Government would accept licensing statistics only.
46.
Mr. Engebrigtsen, noting Hong Kong's spectacularly increasing share of the market for under garments, knitted or crocheted, not elastic nor rubberized, wholly or mainly of synthetic textile materials, women and girls' wear (item 841.844), queried the basis of the statistics as he thought there might be some confusion between kilos and pieces. Mr. Jordan undertook to investigate this aspect.
47.
Mr. Jordan doubted whether this item should be placed under surveillance since total imports, which were mostly from European countries, exceeded total domestic production. An export authorisation system was only appropriate where a threat of disruption was considered by the importing country to exist and in this instance Hong Kong was by no means the leading supplier. But his Government would be prepared to provide licensing figures periodically if the Norwegian authorities so wished.
48.
Mr. Haerum stated that his delegation had decided to delete skirts, dresses, frocks, goims and housecoats, knitted or crocheted, wholly or mainly of wool, women's and girls' wear (item 841.468) from their request list.
CONFIDENTIAL