arrangements which were in prospect for imports into the EEC
countries from the Mediterranean countries and therefore the
increase in textile imports into the EEC from those countries
will be less.
The increase in imports will be less than it would otherwise
have been, I know that this is a matter of concern to people in
Hong Kong and we shall bear this concern very much in mind. What I
would like to say in addition is really two things, that the
British Government has a great deal to promote Hong Kong's interest
in the trade field through its embassies abroad.
We really work very hard on that matter. But I would like to add
this, that the new British Government will be aiming, as one of
its main objectives, to make the British industry, to encourage
British industry to become more athletic, if I can put it that
way, more vigorous, more responsive to change and this and our
desire for... to encourage the freedom of international trade
because we recognise that in Britain that is very much in our
interest in general should in due course improve access for goods
from Hong Kong and other countries in Asia and developing countries
around the world to the United Kingdom and indeed I would hope
through the influence we can exert to the EEC.
Question: Your noted predecessor, Lord Goronwy-Roberts was, as one can say,
experimenting with the notion that Hong Kong should have to pay,
highly
should be more/taxed to have a greater volume of social services.
The point, I gather is that he wished to see the Hong Kong budget
before it was delivered. Is it your intention to pursue a similar
policy? Or do you think that it would not be necessary in future
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... to have