(HWB 6/18)
The Garrinceto (,
Hong Kong Dongst, 52
25 September, 1967.
I am sorry for the delay in replying to your letter to Gaminara of 18 August, asking us to check the accuracy of a table you had received from Jeaffreson, which sets out various rates of decalage likely to have resulted from the last EEC negotiations. Gaminara is at present on leave and your letter has been passed to Common Market Department for reply.
2. We have checked the table, assuming that the probable date of Britain's accession would have been 1,1.6l, and have the following comments to make:
3. Column 1: Commonwealth General
Assuming that this refers to the rates agreed for manufactured goods from Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the 60% should be opposite "By the end of the third year", since the second alignment was to have taken place on 1.1.67.
4.
Column 2: India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, General
This rate was specially designed to apply to India and Pakistan and had not been agreed in respect of Hong Kong when negotiations broke off. As will be seen in the light of para. 3 above, it was a more favourable rate than that agreed for Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The table shows that a 50% alignment was to have been reached by the end of the third year. It was hoped that by this time trade agreements would have been concluded between the enlarged Community and India and Pakistan (and if necessary Ceylon) and some tariff concessions secured for their exports.
5.
Column 3: Cotton Textiles
The final step of 30% would have been introduced when the common external tariff applied throughout the Community. The original intention had been that this should come about on 1.1.70, but by the time of our previous negotiations it seemed likely that this date would be brought forward to 1.1.67. In the event, it has been brought forward, but only to 1.7.68. It was always the Six's intention that low-coat cotton textiles should be
A. G. Trickett, Esq.,
Hong Kong Government Office,
54 Pall Mall,
S.W.1.
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