TNAG-0144-FCO40-180-Exports-of-textiles-to-United-States-of-America-1969 — Page 162

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the use of non-tariff barriers than do theʊU.5, and that a

number of concealed discriminatory measures are operated by

Kestern European countries e.g. in the field of Government

procurement. Our own practices in the matter of Government

procurement e.g. of generating plant are defended by the

Ministries of fower and Technology! yet we should not relish

disclosing all the details that the U.S.A. are pressing for in

the OECD Working Party (Brief 6A, paragraphs 7-11), bir. Milley

could emphasise, at the briefing meeting, the importance of not

appearing to fellow restrictionist policies ourselves while

asking the U.§.A. to eschew protectionism.

9. But the U.S.^.'s main complaints are likely to be directed

against the EFC (over agricultural policy and border tax

adjustments) rather than Britain. Although there are certain

points on which we ourselves are vulnerable and although we do

not always share U.5. views (2.g. on the effect of border tax

adjustments) it is in our interest to show general sympathy for

the American desire to lower non-tariff barriers and to

encourage the work of the GATT Committee on Industrial Froducts

which is now carrying out a detailed factual survey of the non-

tariff barriers in use as a preliminary to possible action

(see the final section of the Talking Points for Brief No. 7A).

10. On the question of the wing Gallen Assesamang (the 1',8.

method of assessing duty on imported bottled spirits such as

Scotch Whisky as if they were 100 proof), Mr. Mulley should

know that the FCO have played an active part in briefing the

Embassy in Washington on action in the case now before the

A.s. Court

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