TNAG-0046-FCO40-82-Britain-s-entry-into-EEC-effect-on-trade-with-Hong-Kong-1967 — Page 51

CONFIDENTIAL

could say that, if there were to be any possibility of the Six entertaining a proposal for preferential

access to the U.K. on a restricted basis, it would

certainly have to be limited as follows:

(i)

It would have to apply to a

specified range of commodities,

which Hong Kong does not now export

in significant quantities.

(ii)

The period for "market research"

would have to be limited.

(iii)

The measure of reduction of the

common external tariff could not

be too great.

(iv) Duty quotas or other limitations on

quantity could have to be provided

for.

(v)

The origin control rules might need

to be agreed with the Six or the

Commission.

Even if the proposal were limited in these ways we would expect the Six to see serious difficulties about accept- ing it. They would be likely to argue that it was

unnecessary,

basing

CONFIDENTIAL

/themselves