الهمله
Sir D Watson
Watson
Mr Logan
何
Flag A
2.
Flag B
19
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Flag D
23
7/2
CONFIDENTIAL
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آبرو
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7 Goodfellow tters PIA
Des 9/2
HONG KONG EXPORTS OF NON-COTTON TEXTILES TO GERMANY
1. Mr Royle will wish to know the outcome of the EEC Textiles
Working Group meeting on 2 February, which discussed the problem
caused by the rapid increase of Hong Kong's exports to Germany
of non-cotton textiles.
Following prompting from us (FCO tel No 102) the Hong Kong
Government decided (Hong Kong tel No 132) to take action direct
with the German Government. The Executive Council authorised
the immediate suspension of export licensing of these goods with
effect from 1 February.
(22
3. This approach was well received in Germany (Brussels tel No 3
to HK) and took much of the heat out of the situation. As a result
the Brussels meeting only discussed the problem in general terms
(Brussels telegram No 578). It was agreed that a further meeting
would be held on 22 February by which time delegates would have
had the opportunity to examine the Hong Kong Government's
proposals in detail. This is likely to be a businesslike
meeting.
4.
We are not yet in the clear. But if the 22 February
meeting goes well, it should mean that the control of Hong Kong's
exports of non-cotton textiles to Germany need no longer have
implications for the wider textile and commercial policies of
the Community. In the present circumstances there is therefore
no longer the same need for Mr Royle to raise this issue with
Sir C Soames.
7 February 1973
CONFIDENTIAL
A.C.St
A C Stuart
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department