Mr. Stewart,
CONFIDENTIAL
Hong Kong Department.
Copy to Mr. Britten,
Reference...
R&R
Trade Policy Department.
37
lothi Carter (0.2)
inth 2 Photosques
Mizur
23/12
Conduct of Hong Kong's Commercial Relations
Thank you for your minute of 22 December (signed on behalf of Mr. Carter).
2. I have no comments on the amendments which you propose to the draft "statement" to cover the points raised in the exchange of telegrams with Hong Kong. But I am not happy with the way you propose to deal with the points raised by Sir E. Melville.
On
3. I realise the difficulties which you have in mind in attempting to cover the question of Hong Kong's right to speak independently at meetings of international organisations where the Hong Kong representatives are part of the U.K. Delegation. the other hand, I do not think that we are likely to overcome these difficulties by setting out the procedure in a separate document; nor do I think it would be wise to ignore this type of situation altogether.
4. Sir E. Melville's draft additions to the guidance paper would obviously be likely to cause difficulty with Hong Kong as they stand. I wonder whether the problem might be met by including something on the following lines in place of what Sir E. Melville proposed:-
"H.M.G.'s membership of international organisations,
except when otherwise provided for, government representation of Hong Kong. Hong Kong Government representatives attached to U.K. Delegations to G.A.T.T. and other international organisations may, with the agreement of the Leader of the U.K. Delegation, or the Head of the U.K. Mission in Geneva, as appropriate, speak on subjects of interest to Hong Kong. In any case where it seems likely that there may be a difference of view on a policy matter as between U.K. Hong Kong interests there will be prior consultation between the two governments in order to decide how the problem should
be handled."
Addition to paragraph_9:-
and
/"Where
CONFIDENTIAL
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