TNAG-0156-FCO40-192-Export-of-textiles-to-Australia-1989 — Page 54

0003290

G.F. 323

CONFIDENTIAL

Draft

Memorandum

Encl. 2

The Hong Kong Government takes note of the Australian Government's Memorandum of *

2.

While the Hong Kong Government always stands ready to fulfil its obligations under the Cotton Textiles Arrangement, it does not envisage any circumstances where it would wish to depart from the provisions of that Arrangement in regard to the present Australian request. Although it would still wish to be provided with further statistical data relevant to the trade in question, the Hong Kong Government is nevertheless now prepared to regard the Australian Memorandum of*as being a request for consultations under Article 3 of the Cotton Textiles Arrangement. On this understanding, it is prepared to enter into such consultations at an early, mutually acceptable date; and requests that they be held in Hong Kong.

3.

As regards the provision in paragraph 1 of Article 3 of the Cotton Textiles Arrangement, whereunder the Australian Government is bound to notify its request to the Cotton Textiles Committee, the Hong Kong Government would be agreeable either to the complete exchange of Memoranda, resting with this one, to be deposited; or alternatively for the Australian Government to draft a formal notification conveying the reasons and justification for the request which have been set out in both the Australian Government's Memoranda. In the latter case, the Hong Kong Govern- ment would be agreeable to the notification being dated the same as the later Menorandum.

4.

To supplement the statistical data already produced, the Hong Kong Government would appreciate figures indicating imports by country, for the last three years, of the precise construction which is the subject of the Australian request; and also an indication over a like period of Australian pro- duction of these particular constructions.

* Date to be inserted by British High Commission.

CONFIDENTIAL