(17259) Dd.897459 250m 12/72 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863 (16941) Dd.897300 250m 9/72 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
CONFIDENTIAL
7
Ятё
to abolish the death sentence in the Colony
an action a policy
which would nevertheless be strongly resented by a
majority of public opinion there. I see, however, no
valid alternative.
6.
Another issue where our interests vary is in
relation to the EEC preferences scheme which we are
due to enforce from 1 January 1974 which will have the
effect of causing us to discriminate, in certain vital
fields of Hong Kong exports, in favour of the Colony's
competitors and against the Colony. Not only will they
have lost Commonwealth preference, but we shall be
raising an additional barrier against their trade in
textiles and footwear. At present I cannot see how
this can be justified to the Colony and may have to
recommend that this matter must be raised again in
Brussels. We may not win there, but we must at least
be seen to have tried to defend their interest.
7. Air services agreements in which Britain gains
handsomely by having disposal of landing rights at
Hong Kong in its gift (while paying nothing for the
building or maintenance of the facilities at Kai Tak)
is another bone of contention. In the context of the
EEC negotiations we decided for political reasons
that it was in the United Kingdom interest to permit
KLM a service to Hong Kong. Now SAS want a similar
service and the Hong Kong Government regard it as
very much in their interest that it should be granted.
in London But this is opposed on civil aviation grounds where it
is held that it would not be in the UK interest.
CONFIDENTIAL
18.