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Administration the Textile Bill, and he emphasised about Mr Leon Brittan he emphasised our joint interest in the continued future, prosperity and political stability of Hong Kong, its open market, and the unacceptable damage that any Textile Bill passed through Congress would do. The senior members of the Administration were wholly sympathetic and we have no doubt of the American Administration's unequivocal opposition to protectionist legislation with textiles as a prime example. Thank you very much.
MR ROBERTS:
to take your questions now,
QUESTION:
Thank you, Minister. Well, we are happy
Nick Beacroft fron RTHK: Minister, could
you tell us what the British government is going to do or will do about convincing third countries about the validity and acceptability of the new BN (0) passport?
MR RENTON;
We are
Yes.
"We have no doubt at all, and no reason to doubt, that this new BN (0) passport, when it comes into effect from 1987 onwards that it will be widely acceptable to other countries. We propose to approach other countries specifically on this issue once the draft order bas been debated and once the whole issue of the precise endorsement on the new BN (0) passport,
/Byt once that is firmly in place. We don't think it appropriate to approach other countries on a hypothetical basis, on the lines of saying "if this were the passport, what would you think about it?". But we will be approaching other countries the moment we know the precise form of the document, and of course we are encouraged very much, as I am sure you will be in Hong Kong, about the remarks by Vice-President Bush made when he was here two weeks ago about the acceptability of this passport to the Americans and to the American Administration.
QUESTION: {by Nick Beaoroft) Would you seek a guarantee that the EN(0) will be accepted by third countries after 19977
MR RENTON;
I don't think it is possible for us to
seek precisely that guarantee.
I think that what we will do is
make certain in the time, as I say, after the passport is precise form is known that it is acceptable.
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We will announce
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