TNAG-0149-FCO40-185-Cotton-textiles-to-France-1969 — Page 114

Our reference: CRE 25177/G Your reference:

BY DIPLOMATIC AIR BAG

CONFIDENTIAL

BOARD OF TRADE

Commercial Relations and Exports Department

1 Victoria Street, LONDON S.W.1 Telex: 25955 Answer Back: BOTHQ LONDON

Telegrams: Advantage London S.W.1 Telephone: 01-222 7877, ext. 2297

رحمه

January, 1969

20

Dear Mr. Holmes,

We are about to start a full review with the Japanese of the remaining quota restrictions we impose against them, The Japanese claim that the United Kingdom's list of restricted items is longer than that of any other developed country which, if it were true, would put them in a strong bargaining position, and also be a convincing argument for us to use with UK industry. But because of the Japanese practice of not publishing details of their trade negotiations with other countries, the information at our disposal is by no means complete enough to enable us to assess how restrictive we are in relation to other countries. To enable us to draw as accurate a picture as possible, we are seeking the help of the Posts in other countries to find out more about their import policy vis-a-vis Japan. I would therefore be grateful if you could let us have a schedulə

solodurre containing as much information as possible, preferably under all the following heads, on all items, the import of which from Japan is subject to restrictions which are discriminatory:

(a)

BTN and tariff sub-heading number.

(b)

Exact description of goods.

(c)

Type of restriction in operation, e.g.

(i) complete ban on imports;

(ii) quantitative inport restrictions;

(iii) individual import licensing;

(iv) voluntary export control by Japan.

Current size of import quota or Japanese voluntary export quota.

(a)

(e)

Plans for quota increase.

(f)

Proposed liberalisation (if any).

We have also been asked by the Japanese to agree to the termination of the first Protocol to the Anglo-Japanese Commercial Treaty, which provides a safeguard under which either government can, if it finds that a product is being imported from

P. R. Holmes Esq.

British Embassy

Paris

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