(16940) Dd.897300 400m 9/72 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry No.
SI RITY CLASSIFICATION
Fop Secret.
Secret.
Confidential.
Restricted.
Unclassified
PRIVACY MARKING
DRAFT
To:-
Mr Eric Ho
Director of Commerce and Industry
HONG KONG
Type 1 +
FROM
Mr Goodfellow
Crowson
Telephone No. Ext.
Department
..In Confidence
EEC TEXTILES GROUP
1.
Thank you for your telegrams nos 428 and 429
of 24 April. On the question of exports of non-cotton
textiles to the Benelux, which we have discussed
at length with the DTI, you will have seen Robin
Hope's letter of 25 April to John de Fonblanque
in which he filled out the record and emphasised
the contrast between how the Dutch behave in a
Community context and the impression they give
in more informal contacts with Hong Kong Government
officials.
2. We do of eo agree with you that the best
solution, in the present circumstances of no free
circulation, would be a bilateral one. re are glad
that we were able last year to achieve a bilateral
solution of our own non-cotton problems with you.
But the realities of life in the European Community
must be faced, however Alice-through-the-looking-glass
The Dutch would lose marks for anti-
Community behaviour if they did negotiate.
bilaterally, with or without the Commission's
they appear.
consent, and you should not underestimate the
importance of this. You will also have seen the
advice on this in UKREP Brussels telegram 2270 of
3 May.
CONFIDENTIAL
13