TNAG-0238-FCO40-274-Trade-relations-between-EEC-and-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 25

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Confidential

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EEC Talks

As you will see, the attached telegram was sent direct to Sir David Trench. He gave it to us the other day and asked if we could get it into the Whitehall machine.

2. I have had a word with Mr. Sellers at the Hong Kong Government Office about the request for information about the size and value of the European stake in Hong Kong and he confirmed my own view that this could only be obtained From Hong Kong itself.

B. What we do about this telegram must be a matter for EID to consider, but it seems to me that it would be useful to follow up these suggestions. If you agree, I think we should send a telegram to Hong Kong explaining that Sir D. Trench has shown us their telegram No.81 and asking if they could supply us with the necessary infor- mation so that we could feed it to the EFC in whatever way you consider appropriate.

4.

I am copying this minute only to Mr. Britten in Trade Policy Department.

Eɣaria

E. 0. Laird

Hong Kong Department 27 November, 1970.

Mr. Laird

I agree that it would be useful to follow up these suggestions, though we should want to consider carefully the use we make of the material when available with the Six. Would you be good enough to ask Hong Kong for the material?

Athino

(A. H. Brind)

European Integration Department

30 November, 1970

Confidential