XN000022-1986-12-09 — Page 9

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1986

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MINISTER MEETS EXCO MEMBERS

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MR TIMOTHY RENTON, FCO MINISTER WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR HONG KONG, HAD A SHORT INFORMAL MEETING WITH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.

SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THE MEETING, MR RENTON SAID THAT THEY HAD HAD A VERY USEFUL MEETING.

+THIS OBVIOUSLY WAS A VERY USEFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR ME ON THIS VERY SAD DAY OF SIR EDWARD'S FUNERAL TO HAVE A CHANCE TO TALK WITH THE ACTING GOVERNOR AND WITH MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL,+ HE SAID.

+ THAT IS ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT I GREATLY VALUE.+

INTERIM ARRANGEMENTS MADE FOR EXPORTS TO CANADA

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THE TRADE DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED DETAILS OF INTERIM CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE EXPORT OF RESTRAINED TEXTILES TO CANADA.

THE ARRANGEMENTS WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR AND BE IN FORCE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. THEY ARE BEING INTRODUCED TO PROVIDE CERTAINTY TO THE TRADE PENDING THE CONCLUSION OF A NEW BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENT BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA.

THE EXISTING AGREEMENT BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA EXPIRES ON DECEMBER 31 AND THE TWO GOVERNMENTS HAVE ENTERED INTO CONSULTATIONS ON A NEW AGREEMENT.

FOUR ROUNDS OF TALKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA HAVE BEEN HELD SO FAR WITHOUT AGREEMENT AND A FURTHER ROUND WILL BE HELD IN HONG KONG IN MID-JANUARY.

THE INTERIM ARRANGEMENTS COVER THREE GROUPS OF TEXTILES: TEXTILE ITEMS CURRENTLY SUBJECT TO QUOTA CONTROL TEXTILE ITEMS CURRENTLY SUBJECT TO THE EXPORT AUTHORISATION (EA) SYSTEM; AND NEW-MFA FIBRE APPAREL CURRENTLY NOT SUBJECT TO RESTRAINT.

FOR TEXTILE ITEMS CURRENTLY SUBJECT TO QUOTA CONTROL, THE DEPARTMENT WILL ISSUE A 1987 PRELIMINARY QUOTA ALLOCATION IN THE NORMAL MANNER IN MID-DECEMBER AS SCHEDULED. COMPANIES MAY CONTINUE TO LICENSE THEIR SHIPMENTS IN 1987 AGAINST THE 1987 PRELIMINARY QUOTAS AS IN 1986.

/ITEMS SUBJECT