.r
This is why I am so sure that the Governor will not delay over advising us of the considered views of his industry.
6. Our information is that the Textile Advisory Board meeting could well lead to a decision to send a representative delegation to London this week-end, perhaps to see the President of the Board of Trade. Indeed such a decision would follow naturally from Mr. Dan Jones' suggestions to the Hong Kong Association. We should know within a day or two whether this is what Hong Kong wish to do. I am sure that we should do nothing to stand in the way of such a delegation coming here. Even if the Cabinet have already decided in favour of a tariff before the delegation leaves Hong Kong I am convinced that it would be politically expedient to allow them to come and say their piece. The Governor has emphasised the unfortunate political repercussions which would follow if his Government was not seen to have put forward its views before HMG's decision was announced. In these circumstances, if and when Hong Kong decides on sending a delegation, I shall be asking the Minister to receive them (possibly on Monday) and shall also be recommending that the President of the Board of Trade hears what they have to say. How we save the day in this situation must depend very much on the terms and timing of the President's announcement of the decision (on both matters we shall be pressing our views and requirements) It must be our aim to convey the impression that Hong Kong's representations were received and considered
before a decision was taken.
•
15 July, 1969
Copies to
Sir Arthur Snelling
Sir Leslie Monson
Mr. Whitehead
Las Carte
(W. S. Carter)
Hong Kong Department
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