CONFIDENTIAL
By Bag
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TO CERTAIN MISSIONS
Telno. Guidance 202
CONFIDENTIA L
17 November 1970 (FG/1)
332
UNCTAD Scheme of Generalised Preferences.
Background
4R16/12
The UNCTAD II Conference at New Delhi in March 1968 recommended
the introduction of a "mutually acceptable, generalised, non-
reciprocal, non-discriminatory system of preferences" to be offered
to the manufactures and semi-manufactures of developing countries
by the industrialised nations. The Conference established the
UNCTAD Special Committee on Preferences as the forum for consultations
on this scheme.
Recent Developments
2. Since Guidance telegram No. 38 was issued on 27 rebruary 1970,
the OCD countries have each decided their product coverage and some
of the operational details of their schemes and have held consultations
with the developing countries in the UNCTAD Special Committee, which
last met from 19 September to 10 October. The outcome was the declar-
ation incorporated in the International Jevelopment Strategy adopted
by the UN General Assembly on 16 October (Guidance No. 180, not to
all) that the proposed arrangements are "mutually acceptable" and
that the aonors would aim to implement the scheme during 1971.
arran.ements include institutional arrangements within UNCTAD for
regular reviews of the scheme. Although it has not been possible
to adhere to the timetable envisaged in the New Delhi session of
UNCTAD in 1968, the achievement has been considerable.
Questions Yet to be Decided
These
3. The following paragraphs provide information on questions yet
to be accided and the line to take il questionca.
CONFIDENTIAL
/beneficiaries