NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
CONFIDENTIAL
ст
hope
Some coccasion
mees might he Kwamble m mality goods.
high
under-developed groups in Japanese society and therefore had political and social implications. Government were however concerned about the problem Mr Aichi stressed that the measures of liberalisati which Japan had undertaken unilaterally had include a number of items of interest to Britain such as/wh whiney as/wh! textiles and electronic calculators. He hoped that the British Government would make efforts to remove the existing restrictions on Japanese imports and a
abolish.
the safeguard protocol. Generalised Preferences
#1
Mr Aichi said that it was essential to bring the preferences scheme into effect at the earliest possible date. He hoped that this could be done on 1 August this year. Some restrictions would have to be introduced in respect of Hong Kong. However time would be needed for technical preparation and adjustments. The arrangements for Hong Kong and other dependent territories would therefore be brought into effect at some date later than 1 August this year.
The Japanese Government were well aware of the British request, particularly because of the Prime Minister's letter to Mr Sato, and had the matter under consideration with a view to granting preferences to Hong Kong at the earliest possible
date.
Mr Bottomley referred to the plans which had t made for officials of the Government of Hong Kong to visit Tokyo on 17 June and hoped that their talks
there might result in clarification of the
CONFIDENTIAL