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CONFIDENTIAL
89
Mr Bottomley
HONG KONG AND THE GENERALIZED PREFERENCES SCHEME
In paragraph 7 of his minute to you of 18 February (copy attached) Mr Britten said that Hong Kong Department would be informing the Governor that Ministers had decided we should not press the EEC to exclude all footwear and textiles from their scheme.
2. The same point (ie Hong Kong's desire not to be discriminated against) came up during our talks with Hong Kong officials at the
•
end of January/early February. It was then decided, after
reference to Mr Rippon, to accept the offer of the EEC and to work
both before and after enlargement to avoid discrimination against Hong Kong. The Governor acquiesced in these arrangements.
3.
In the circumstances and to avoid upsetting the Governor unnecessarily we have not sent a special communication to him in reply to his point that we should have pressed the EEC to exclude footwear and textiles from their scheme altogether. European Integration Department and Trade Policy Department agree that there is no need for such a special communication.
4.
You were the Chairman of the meeting at which the Governor first raised this point. I should therefore be grateful for confirmation that you agree we should take no further action in the matter.
10 March 1971
се
EMaria
É O Laird
Hong Kong Department
Mr R G Britten (TPD) Mr H Bring (EID)
N. haird
This dependent
language of the correspontiana
b at X. If it is clear that
referred
the Governor knows the portion, 2
afree think no
further action is necessary
Лив
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CONFIDENTIAL