SECRET
TOTAL COTIES
COTY No.
EIDLE)
Awalır
Called & HKN 6/548/
u. PS / 12 Gonones Roberts
и
Prime Minister
441
M But h ни masni
HKIND TRED
(XX9):
18
3
Bill Rodgers' minute to you of 5 December seeks authority to
assure the Governor of Hong Kong that the selective import controls
to be announced soon will not include Hong Kong products. My
letters of 2 and 5 December to Peter Shore expressed my deep
concern about shirts, and I feel I must urge that full weight
be given to it.
First, very briefly, the facts. Hong Kong shipped to us, in
1973 and 1974, 17.7m and 17.1m respectively. The existing quota
level in those years was approximately 27m, and they will have
shipped, during 1975, over 27m. That increase is the ground for
my concern.
During the discussion leading up to the MFA agreement the
Commission urged very strongly on Hong Kong that they should
accept a reduction in access, or ensure minimal growth within
the larger figure, to avoid putting on us heavy pressures to
impose a cut back. They insisted on their rights under the MFA,
and have made full use of them. But they were warned very clearly
of the possible consequences.
I would urge that Bill Rodgers be authorised to tell the Governor
that the only area of major concern in the context of selective
restraints which affects Hong Kong is shirts, that we attach
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