TNAG-0045-FCO40-81-Britain-s-entry-into-EEC-effect-on-trade-with-Hong-Kong-1967 — Page 128

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CONFIDENTIAL

ANNEX 'B'

Talking Points for use with Unofficial Members

of the Legislative and Executi ve Councils and

to the Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Industries and Chinese Manufacturers' Association.

The following paragraph should be substituted for paragraph 8

in the talking points for use with the public:-

8.

The Commonwealth problems are, of course, known to you. We, for our part, appreciate the importance you attach to your exports to Britain and, in particular, to your exports of cotton

textiles. Problems would arise (such as the future of Commonwealth preferences) which would clearly affect your trade with us and would accordingly need the most careful consideration.

If and when we decide to enter into negotiations it will be

necessary to prepare our negotiating position carefully and this will of course be one of the first points for consultation between

While we stand prepared to press for the best possible terms for Hong Kong, it must be remembered that the results of the 1961-63 negotiations are there for all to see and we should not

delude ourselves as to the prospects of achieving a better end result in any second round of negotiation. The barrier of the Common External Tariff and the question mark which hangs over the Community's future common commercial policy will clearly present many difficulties. These are matters to which your Government will no doubt be paying close attention.

us.