open the consultations, will be available on Monday
23 November and the Governor of Hong Kong, who is
in the United Kingdom on leave and who also wishes
to attend the opening session will be available on
that day. I therefore recommend that the con-
sultations should be held from 23 November until
25 November inclusive. I also recommend that a car
should be provided for the Hong Kong delegation and
that a luncheon should be given for them on the first
day of the consultations. In order to discuss the
agenda for the consultations I recommend that a
meeting should be held with the Board of Trade at
which details of the agenda and necessary briefing
can be settled..
proposing dates for the consultations is attached.
I further recommend that Mr. Bottomley should
take the chair at the consultations after Mr.Rippon
has withdrawn at the opening session.
A draft telegram to Hong Kong
Background
5. In 1967 consultations were held with Hong Kong
Government officials under the chairmanship of Sir
Arthur Snelling at which the problems facing Hong
Kong over Britain's entry into the EEC were dis-
cussed together with other matters of common interest.
At the present time the Hong Kong Government are
exercised about the possible exclusion of Hong Kong
from the UNCTAD Generalised Preference Scheme and the
possibility of Association for the Colony with the
EEC. In addition to problems arising from Britain's
application for membership with the EEC, Hong Kong
officials will probably wish to discuss the change
from the present restraint agreement with the United
Kingdom on cotton textiles to a tariff on 1 January,
1972. They will also doubtless wish to discuss the
/proposed.
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