„OL TEXTILE DELEGATION-CONTINUATION
-2-
c)
d)
Under paragraph 6 of the document it refers to the low rate of growth on 7 sensitive categories into the UK this totally ignores the fact that the growth rate for the EEC as a whole is 6% or more; how the Community decides to distribute this internally is really a matter for it to decide.
Under paragraph 7(b) it is said "there is evidence to contest the theory that imports increase when domestic markets are in recession". We never said it did; all we have said consistently is that in the recent recession, imports took a larger proportion of the available demand, even though the total volume might in fact have been lower.
e) Under paragraph 7(d) it is said that penetration has been slowed down since the implementation of the bilateral agreements. As a statement of fact this might well be true but how much of the reduction was due to the world recession rather than the operation of the bilaterals ?
I am not sure about the constitutional position of Hong Kong as a Crown Colony but it would be regrettable if the policy of HM Government were to be frustrated by action of some body who is half way within the fold as it were.
I have not so far written to the Department of Trade or the Foreign Office about this pending your advice. If it would help you to push our case I would willingly do so and perhaps you will let me know.
Kind regards,
P.G.Hudson Esq.
Under-Secretary,
Chemicals & Textiles Division,
Department of Industry,
Millbank Tower,
Millbank,
London SW1P 4QU.
Yours sincerely,
Le tir
Director.