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CONFIDENTIAL
4. NINE PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN TAKEN OFF THE SENSITIVE LIST. THREE
ARE OF PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE FOR HONG KONG: MATTINGS AND MATS, ILLUMINATING GLASSWARE FOR ELECTRICAL FITTINGS, AND LOCKS AND
PADLOCKS.
5. THE ANSWER TO ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY WE WILL BE CONCENTRATING OUR EFFORT ON NEXT YEARS REVIEW IS THAT WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET AGREEMENT ON THE INCLUSION OF HONG KONG'S TEXTILES
AND FOOTWEAR NOW. WE SEE NO REASONS TO BE DEFENSIVE ABOUT THIS. WE HAVE PUBLICLY DECLARED OUR SUPPORT FOR HONG KONG, AND, AS THE CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY SAID ON 6 NOVEMBER, WE INTEND TO PRESS MOST RESOLUTELY FOR THE INCLUSION OF HONG KONG'S TEXTILES AND FOOTWEAR
IN THE COMMUNITY'S SCHEME FROM 1975 ONWARDS. WE HOPE YOU CAN HOLD
TO THE SAME LINE.
6. MY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING TELEGRAM CONTAINS THE TEXT OF THE REPLY TO A WRITTEN PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION ON THIS SUBJECT WHICH
WAS TABLED BY MR. PETER HORDERN AND ANSWERED TODAY. AS YOU WILL
SEE THIS DRAWS EXTENSIVELY ON THE CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY'S
STATEMENT IN THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING.
7. WE AGREE THAT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT A REPLY SHOULD BE SENT TO THE PETITIONERS SCON. WE SHALL SEND A TEXT EARLY NEXT WEEK.
MEANWHILE PLEASE GIVE THE INDUSTRY A COPY OF THE ANSWER TO
MR HORDERN.
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