Mr. Stewart
Reference..
НКК 6/534/1
74
26
You asked me to investigate the origins of the proposal to include British Dependent Territories within the scope of the Agreed Minute on trade with the Benelux.
2.
From the files there is no very clear evidence, and it is possible that there were discussions, albeit unrecorded, between the appropriate depart- ments. However, it seems fairly clear that Hong Kong was not approached before we put the suggestion to the Benelux. The first reference I can trace of this proposal is at (5) (8 September 1967) on file No. R 6/4 (Western department) where it is stated that:
3.
"We have included in the preamble (to the Agreed Minute) a reference to the United Kingdom Dependent Overseas Territories. Hereto the Anglo Benelux Agreed Minute have referred solely to the United Kingdom, though the Netherlands Dependent Territories have been covered. This has particular reference to the recent difficulties over Hong Kong textiles, but we wonder whether Hong Kong, which is responsible for its own external commercial relations, should be covered by a document of this sort."
The file certainly gives the appearance that the proposal came direct from the Board of Trade, and that they thought it a good idea for reasons of economic tidiness, although they evidently had doubts as to how Hong Kong would fit in to this scheme. From the file it is evident that Hong Kong has been the major stumbling block.
3 January 1969
1.R. Munsey
(I. R. Murray)
Hong Kong Department