TNAG-0172-FCO40-208-United-Kingdom-Productivity-and-Efficiency-Study-effect-on-H-1969 — Page 69

CONFIDENTIAL

J.

CYPHER/CAT A

IMMEDIATE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

TELEGRAM NUMBER 113

CONFIDENTIAL.

NEUTRAL.

TO BERNE

18 JULY 1969

(0,D.)

ADDRESSED TO BERNE TELEGRAM NUMBER 113 OF 19 JULY, AND TO CERTAIN

OTHER POSTS.

GUIDANCE TELEGRAMS NUMBERS 76 AND 77 OF 1 APRIL, 1969 ( NOT ALL)

TEXTILE COUNCIL REPORT.

THE GOVERNMENT HAVE DECIDED THAT THE SENSIBLE COURSE IS TO ADOPT

THE TEXTILE COUNCIL'S RECOMMENDATION FOR A TARIFF ON IMPORTS OF COTTON TEXTILES, INCLUDING MADE UP GOODS, FROM THE COMMONWEALTH AT 85 PER CENT OF THE M.F.N. RATE. THIS WOULD BECOME EFFECTIVE AS FROM 1 JANUARY, 1972 AND THE PRESENT QUOTA ARRANGEMENTS WOULD END ON 31 DECEMBER, 1971. THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE WILL MAKE A STATEMENT IN PARLIAMENT ON 22 JULY. THE TEXT OF THIS STATEMENT IS STILL UNDER CONSIDERATION BUT THE DRAFT WHICH HAS BEEN CIRCULATED BY THE BOARD OF TRADE FOR COMMENTS BY OTHER DEPARTMENTS IS GIVEN IN MY 1.F.T. WE SHALL WANT TO SUGGEST SOME AMENDMENTS TO IT.

2. WE WILL SEND YOU AMENDMENTS TO THIS DRAFT, OR IF NECESSARY A REVISED TEXT, TOGETHER WITH GUIDANCE, ON 21 JULY. WE INTEND ALSO TO

AUTHORISE YOU TO TELL GOVERNMENTS CONCERNED SHORTLY BEFORE THE PRESIDENT'S STATEMENT IS MADE. MEANWHILE ALL THIS IS FOR YOUR OWN INFORMATION ONLY, AND TO ENABLE YOU TO PREPARE AS NECESSARY FOR THE URGENT EXERCISE OF INFORMING GOVERNMENTS AT BEGINNING OF NEXT

WEEK.

STEWART

INTERNATIONAL TRADE DISTRIBUTION

COMMODITIES D.

LART

REF.

(4) (5

NEXI

REF.

S9)

CONFIDENTIAL