that where we are unable to accept any of the Hong Kong
proposals we should be able to demonstrate, with as much
factual information as we can, why those proposals would
present a serious erosion of the intent behind the
Government's decision. (Given that the Hong Kong Delegation will be
accompanied by seven senior textile advisers, this aspect is particularly important.)
We would therefore find it most useful if your
officials could let us know fairly soon how they envisage
undertaking the preparatory work for the resumed talks;
and, while this is not specifically on the agenda,
whether they consider we might be able to be more
forthcoming at the talks on our own intentions towards
formulating a textile trade policy, together with our
partners in the enlarged EEC, which takes account
equally of the interests of developing countries in
expanding their exports of textiles and of the need of
the textile industries here and elsewhere in the
Community to evolve on a basis of genuine competitiveness;
and of the right of efficient producers and their
workers to safeguards against disruptive imports.
I realise this is a longer term problem, but if we
could demonstrate to the Hong Kong delegation that we
now seriously intended to promote a textile trade policy
along the foregoing lines, this might also help in
softening the immediate effects of our reversal on
quotas.
You might wish to arrange for Anthony Grant to see
this correspondence.
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