PRIORITY CYPHER/CAT A
FM F C 0 211630Z
SECRET
SECRET
(HK)
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG TELHO 387 OF 21 MAY,
MY TELNO 359.
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM MONSON.
DEFENCE CONTRIBUTION.
1. FOR YOUR STRICTLY PERSONAL INFORMATION TREASURY HAVE AGREED
THAT IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE TO INCLUDE IN THE FINANCE BILL A PROVISION TO ALLOW TEMPORARY RELIEF FROM DUTY FOR COMMONWEALTH
COTTON TEXTILES SHIPPED UNDER THE QUOTA ARRANGEMENTS. IN THE
PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION LIKE FINANCE BILLS HOWEVER UNFORESEEN
DIFFICULTIES MAY COME UP AND WE CANNOT THEREFORE AUTHORISE
YOU TO SAY ANYTHING TO THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ABOUT THIS UNTIL
NEW CLAUSE HAS BEEN INTRODUCED DURING THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE
- BILL.
2. IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES REPLY TO UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS APPROVED BY MINISTERS (FCO TELEGRAMS NOS.385 AND 386) CONTAINS NO REFERENCE
TO TARIFF ON TEXTILES,
3. WE HOPE THAT THE NEW CLAUSE WILL DE TABLED NEXT WEEK AND WILL
TELEGRAPH YOU IMMEDIATELY WE HAVE ANY FURTHER NEWS.
DOUGLAS-HOME
FILES
HKD
DEF D
COMMODITIES D
SIR L IRONSON MR BOTTOMLEY MR GALLAGHER MR WILFORD MR CABLE
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No. 51
MAY 1971
HKK 10/9
SECRET
86