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become normal practice within the Community for the interests of
dependent territories to be treated as synonomous with the
metropolitan territory's own interests.
This was a reality we
could not ignore.
6. Mr Jordan wanted the Minister to know that in respect of the
new textile agreement being negotiated within the GATT Hong Kong
would have to make difficulties in respect of a Community
decision. He cited the present position where 80% of Hong Kong's
exports to the Community went to Germany and only 1.6% to France.
He said the Department of Trade and Industry acknowledged the
Hong Kong position.
7. Mr Jordan asked for a statement on the question of Hong
Kong's eclusion of textiles and footwear from the European
Economic Community's Generalised Scheme of Preferences, which he
could make to the press on his return to Hong Kong. He reminded
Mr Royle that in the Executive Council he had said he would take
up this question whilst he was in the United Kingdom. He had
subsequently received letters from various important commercial
bodies in Hong Kong and would be expected to say something. In
this connection he hoped that the United Kingdom could agree that
the revision of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences should be
discussed early in 1974 rather than at the end of the year. He
pointed out that the textile industry were taking orders nine
months in advance and that if a revision were to be effective in
1975 it would be necessary to note this early in 1974. Mr Royle
suggested that a statement should be agreed within the Foreign
and Commonwealth Office and discussed with Mr Jordan.
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