GRS 300
EN CLAIR
KONG
D
FM HONG KONG 040648Z
UNCLASSIFIED
400.
Luck 6/598/1
TO PRIORITY F C O TELEGRAM NUMBER 1992 OF 4 NOVEMBER 1974.
FOR STUART FROM JORDAN.
M.I.P.T. FOLLOWING IS TEXT/
179)
"'BEFORE I RESUME MY SEAT, SIR, I WOULD SEEK YOUR INDULGENCE TO ALLOW ME TO REVERT BRIEFLY TO ONE ASPECT OF OUR EXTERNAL TRADE. 1 REFER TO THE DISCRIMINATION MAINTAINED BY THE E E C AGAINST HONG KONG IN ITS GENERALISED SCHEME OF PREFERENCES. OUR TEXTILE AND FOOTWEAR EXPORTS TO THE COMMUNITY ARE STILL DENIED SUCH PREFERENCES, ALTHOUGH OUR NEIGHBOURS AND CLOSE COMPETITORS ARE GIVEN THESE BENEFITS. WE ARE NOW IN AN HITHERTO UNHEARD OF, AND PROBABLY UNIQUE, SITUATION: BRITAIN, OUR METROPOLITAN POWER IS NOW HERSELF DISCRIMINATING AGAINST HONG KONG IN FAVOUR OF OUR COMPETITORS WITH WHOM SHE HAS NEITHER HISTORICAL NOR ECONOMIC TIES.
I AM FULLY AWARE OF THE VIGOROUS WAY IN WHICH YOU AND YOUR STAFF HAVE BEEN REPRESENTING HONG KONG'S CASE. INDEED MY HONOURABLE FRIEND THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY SHOUD BE CONGRATULATED FOR HIS HEROIC EFFORTS TO GET HONG KONG A BETTER DEAL, I UNDERSTAND HE HAS JUST RETURNED FROM LONDON WHERE HE HELD DISCUSSIONS WITH WHITEHALL OFFICIALS ON THIS SUBJECT, I AM SURE MY HONOURABLE FRIEND WILL TELL US IN DUE COURSE WHAT TRANSPIRED AT THESE TALKS. WE SHALL ALL BE INTERESTED TO KNOW IN WHAT WAY
HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO HELP HONG KONG.IN REMOVING
THESE DISCRIMINATIONS. IF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS DONE EVERY-
THING IT CAN, AND I BELIEVE IT HAS, IT IS NOW UP TO HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT OUR INTERESTS.
FINALLY, WHILE I AM ON THE SUBJECT OF 6.S.P., ! SHOULD MENTION THAT TITLE V OF THE U.S. TRADE BILL, WHICH IS NOW DEFORE THE
/ CONGRESS AND IS