CONFIDENTIAL
(D) GENERALISED PREFERENCE SCHEME
Hon. Sir Y.K. KAN
Secretary of State
Hon. T.K. ANN
Secretary of State
The Japanese had originally agreed to admit Hong Kong to this scheme as from 1.4.72.; but recently some doubt seemed
to have arisen about their attitude.
There might be some need for further
discussion as to which items were to be included in/excluded from the scheme. For example, it was realised that textiles
could not be included.
Understood Hong Kong would definitely be included. Will explore this in more detail with the Japanese.
The U.K. definition of "Developing Country" for the purposes of the Generalised
Preference Scheme is stricter than that
adopted by the E.E.C.; this means that Hong Kong has less chance of admission.
Will investigate this. When Br tain becomes a member of E.E.C., the same
rules will in any case have to be applied
to all.
CONFIDEN 11AL
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