Hong Kong, and, with the approval of Her Majesty's
Government, the Government of Hong Kong have
negotiated bilateral agreements for restraint of
trade in cotton goods with all the major importing
Moreover, the countries party to the
countries.
LTA are members of the Cotton Textiles Committee
of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
(GATT) and Hong Kong's representatives attend
meetings of this Committee as members of the
United Kingdom Delegation. They have an opportunity
to present Hong Kong's views independently but/in
practice direct conflict in the expression of
views is avoided. These arrangements reflect the
fact that Hong Kong, being a dependent territory,
is not a separate member of the GATT, and is
represented in the GATT by the United Kingdom
Delegation.
but/in
A
I while allowing ca khong khong to find independas
expression,
iraus porit
5. It follows from the constitutional position
that, in terms of international law, Her Majesty's
Government cannot abrogate final responsibility
for the Hong Kong Government's external relations.
However, as stated in my predecessor's saving
despatch No. 369 of 31 July, 1969, having regard
to the considerable number of trading arrangements
and agreements into which Hong Kong enters in
terms of the LTA, I do not consider it necessary
or practicable for the terms of every such
arrangement or agreement to be scrutinised in
London before it is concluded and can be registered where appropriate
İf NGC908ery under Article 102 of the United Nations
Charter.
Frovided, therefore, that you are
satisfied that the conclusion of any LTA
arrangement does not jeopardise the interests of
Her Majesty's Government or commit Her Majesty's
/Government....
NOTHING TO BE Wwritten IN THIS MARGIN
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