CUOTE BUT ACCEPTANCE AT THIS STAGE OF THE COMMUNITY OFFER WOULD IN NO SENSE CLOSE THE DOOR TO SUBSEQUENTLY IMPROVING HONG KONG'S ACCESS TO THE ENLARGED COMMUNITY UNDER THE SCHEME UNQUOTE.
13. WE HAVE NATURALLY SPOKEN IN THESE TERMS IN HONG KONG. WE SECURED ACCEPTANCE HERE OF THE OFFER BY ASSURING PEOPLE THAT THE EEC SCHEME WAS NOT IMUTABLE: THERE WOULD NOT, WE WERE LED TO BELIEVE, DE ANY QUESTION OF THE UK BEING REQUIRED MERELY TO APPLY THE EEC SCHEME WITHOUT ANY POSSIBILITY OF MODIFICATION.
1. MR RIPPON'S OWN OFFICER'S NOTE FOR THE RECORD OF THE DISCUSSION AT LUNCH AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE ON 11 SEPTEMBER 1972 INCLUDES THE SENTENCE QUOTE HE (MR RIPPON) SAID THAT DETAILED DISCUSSIONS ON ALIGNING THE BRITISH SCHEME WITH THAT OF THE SIX HAD NOT YET TAKEN PLACE UNCUOTE.
NORMAN-WALKER
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SENT AT 11/07552 RD
HONGAID LONDON
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