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RECORD OF A MEETING HELD IN THE OFFICE OF THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS AT 10.00 A.M. ON 28 SEPTEMBER.
Present:
Mr. Royle
Mr. Robinson Mr. Youde
Mr. Butler
Mr. Stuart
Mr. Guest
Hong Kong and the E.E.C.'s Generalised Scheme of Preferences
1.
Mr. Royle asked if a compromise was possible between the two sides of the Office. Mr. Robinson thought a compromise was not possible in the time available. It might be possible next year but not this. He asked whether an approach on Hong Kong's behalf to the Community would be purely for cosmetic reasons or whether it would be designed to achieve somethin. Mr. Youde insisted that we must do something reaj for Hong Kong, particularly in the light of the Prime Minister's probable visit there in January 1974, (he quoted from a letter * a comment by the Prime Minister that he would like important problems settled before he visited Hong Kong). If the Prime Minister went to Hong Kong, people would be bound to ask why H.M. G. had not done anything about the assurances given by Mr. Rippon in 1971. The aim in making an approach to the Community would have to be to get something realistic for Hong Kong: Hong Kong had their eyes open and would not be interested in cosmetic operations.
2. Mr. Robinson said that Sir Murray Machehose had seemed to accept in his meeting with the Secretary of State that Hong Kong would not get anything from such an approach. However, he was merely adamant that something should be done about Mr. Rippon's undertakings. Mr. Robinson said that it would not be incompatible with the Rippon undertakings to take Hong Kong's case to the Community next year and a decision to this effect now would meet the Prime Minister's point. Mr. Butler said that it was very difficult to open the matter now and that it might be better to wait until the Scheme was in operation.
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