Mr. Laird
CONFIDENTIAL
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Hong Kong and our Membership of the European Communities
As I told you this morning, when the Cabinet Office spoke to me yesterday about the outcome of the Ministerial Approach to Europe Committee on Hong Kong, I was given to understand that the main theme of the paper would be the consequences of the Common Commercial Policy and the UNCTAD negotiations for Hong Kong.
2.
Having seen the rather different outline of the paper in Mr. Thornton's letter attached I have spoken to him and to Mr. Denman. Mr. Thornton, who attended the Ministerial meeting is quite clear that what is required in the first place is a paper that will tell Ministers in detail what the consequences are likely to be for Hong Kong if we join the Communities. (One of the points which seemed to worry them was prospects of rioting). Mr. Denman is inclined to try to produce a paper which will constitute a package of negotiating arguments with the Community designed to produce a specific solution. Mr. Thornton and I doubt whether this will be possible. But provided we cover the points in Mr. Thornton's letter, there is no harm in trying for a conclusion on the lines Mr. Denman is suggesting.
3.
You have agreed to attend Mr. Preston's meeting at 4.00pm this afternoon to apportion the work. The aim is to have a paper in draft by the end of this week or early next week at the latest.
Pp. I.P. Ra
(J.A. Robinson)
7 July, 1970.
Copied to Mr. Statham
Mr Kyneer.
am
d
gring
some thought to the pointical
aspacks & will produce a note.
Mi
ینکها
ANG
робисс
7-7.70.
Note herewith
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