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as South Korea and the Philippines and this has enraged them. It is not that they want special treatment for themselves but they want to be in no worse a position than their competitors. There is no doubt that the Labour Members have been thoroughly briefed on this issue and that there will be a Parliamentary row about it. A band waggon will certainly be kept running and Messrs. Powell, Marten, etc.etc. will leap aboard with vigour.
I enclose herewith a copy of two Parliamentary Question s that have been drafted by the textile lobby in Hong Kong which they are trying to get Members to put down. However, they now feel that October will be too late and that a decision may well take place in the interim. But I have no doubt that this situation is going to be used by the anti-E.E.C. elements in our own Party to beat us with.
I suppose that I must sound rather gloomy but I have merely outlined problems rather than talked about the very considerable achievements of the Hong Kong administration. We met many men and women, both English and Chinese, of great ability and goodwill who are doing a simply marvellous job and, as far as we were able to, we tried to put over the message that Hong Kong should not sell itself short because there is so much to be admired. We were extremely well looked after by the Hong Kong Government and our talks were very frank and interesting. No doubt all these problems are wellknown to you but I thought it might be helpful that you should have the impression of a recent visit by Parliamentarians. I have had a quick talk with Francis Pym and am sending him a copy of this letter.
Your
ми
halt.
The Rt.Hon.Sir Alec Douglas-Home, K.T., M.P.,
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Foreign and Commonwealth Office,
Downing Street,
London, SW 1 A 2 AL.
Encl.