Mr Lant
M. Clewley
Mr Wilford
Sir L Monson
HONG KONG TEXTILES
RECEIVED IN
REGISTRY No.51
1722 192
i
HKK 6/548/1
1. A copy of Sir John Eden's reply to Mr Royle is attached.
35.36) Hong Kong telegrams Nos 72 and 73 are also attached.
2.
As we expected, the DTI are ready to give the assurances requested about hardship yardages. For the rest the DTI are now working out "some reshaping of the package which could be communicated to Hong Kong" (paragraph 3 on page 2 of the letter). Commodities Department are getting in touch with the DTI about this making the point that we now have very little time in which to reach some kind of under- standing with Hong Kong before the Secretary of State arrives in the Colony. Mr Price in CRE II agreed last Wednesday to do what he could to muster support in the DTI for our point of view. Unfortunately Mr Hale is on leave today and Monday. I spoke this morning to Mr Dodds, the Assistant in Commodities Department, who said that he would discuss the matter with Mr Keeble.
3. The only other point in Sir John Eden's letter on which I need comment is that contained in the last paragraph. It seems to me that we can fairly resist pressures for concessions from other restricted countries simply by pointing out that Hong Kong is a dependent territory.
Mana
E O Laird
Hong Kong Department
4 February 1972 I am told by M Ridley
abeat hard
that they will press
decision earing
X
t
get
next week.
He
niñself
will be
but Miss
away,
Lowne will
halle matters. Mihaird (till hims
separture) -5M: Hale will pursue the matter.
tre must try get instructions in the
there
on
in Thursdrag.
for action
Kun hrifio
14/~
(51)
ال