TNAG-0045-FCO40-81-Britain-s-entry-into-EEC-effect-on-trade-with-Hong-Kong-1967 — Page 174

ANNEX 'B'

Confidential

Talking Points for use with Unofficial Members

of the Legislative and Executive 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.