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HM CUSTOMS AND EXCISE
Customs Directorate Division 1B
Dorset House, Stamford Street, London SE1 9PS
Direct Dial 071 865 4456
Telephone 071 620 1313 ext 4456
GTN 3913 4456
Mr C Tedstone
Hong Kong Department
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Whitehall
London SW1
Your reference
Our reference
ECMA 181/35/01
4 November 1991
Date
Dear Mr Tedstone
UK/HONG KONG MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON GENERAL CUSTOMS MATTERS
Please see the letter from the Hong Kong Commissioner of Customs and Excise (with enclosures) attached. You will see from the content of Mr Oxley's letter that he is to formalize co-operative links with HM Customs and Excise.
Advice from the Department's Investigation Division reveals that there is already excellent co-operation between our two services. Requests for assistance and the provision of training form the basis of mutual assistance between our two services. Although activity in the field of drug law enforcement features strongly, it by no means predominates as co-operation ranges widely over all customs work areas. This is all effected through existing Customs Co-operation Council measures in the field of mutual assistance.
While, from a purely practical viewpoint HM Customs and Excise does not foresee a Memorandum of Understanding enhancing an already good working relationship, Hong Kong Customs and Excise are obviously keen to enter into an agreement with us.
In the light of the above, may I ask for your comments on the political desirability of a mutual assistance (non-binding) Memor- andum of Understanding with Hong Kong Customs and Excise, particu- larly in the context of the run up to 1997.
An early response would be appreciated, by close of play on Wednesday 6 November if possible.
Yours sincerely
Damen Bishop
Gerald Spain
Principal, International Division