CONFIDENTIAL
Reference..
203
Mr Braithwaite, EID(E)
Mr Cloake, TRED
EEC/HONG KONG
1.
separate copies
(202)
20t
202
You will have seen Mr Galsworthy's recent minute saying that Lord Goronwy-Roberts wished to be kept more closely in touch. We have drafted the attached minute to attempt an explanation of the current issues, and particularly to explain why we think that the GSP arrangements are the best obtainable in current circumstances and why we think that Hong Kong (and Hong Kong's defenders in London) would be advised to concentrate rather on the question of quantitative restrictions.
2. I would not propose that this should be a joint submission, since Lord Goronwy-Roberts is primarily interested in the Hong Kong factor. But I would be grateful for your comments, since it is obviously undesirable that anything should go out or up which is factually incorrect or which misrepresents the concerns of the relevant departments. May I also incidentally make a plea for reciprocal consultation?
21 November 1974
ACSE
A C Stuart
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean
Dept.
CONFIDENTIAL