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W(B)L 51-7406
Government, the first step should be to sound
the Secretary General of GATT on the proposal
that Hong Kong should have separate representa-
tion in the limited field of textiles. This
could conveniently be done at the time we
tell Lang about the proposed delegation of
authority in the matters of overseas trade.
Apart from the immediate improvement in
our relations with Hong Kong which action on
these lines would bring, it is not too soon,
in our view, to be giving thought to the
longer term considerations to which Melville
has referred in connection with our application
for membership of the Communitý. We agree
with Melville that separate Hong Kong
representation in the limited field of textiles
only would provide a test bed for assessing
whether wider freedom could be given to Hong
Kong in the GATT if and when we join the EEC.
I must add that we too are appalled at the
prospect of Hong Kong's interests being
represented in GATT by a spokesman of the
Commission of an enlarged Community.
Mr. Royle, our Parliamentary Under
Secretary responsible for the affairs of
Hong Kong, will be visiting the Colony next
week. I shall be accompanying him.
I would
therefore, be most grateful if you could let
me have at least your preliminary reaction to
the proposals in this letter by 5 October.
Letter to
am sending a copy of this letter
Carey at the Ministry of Technology.
Mix