TNAG-0239-FCO40-275-Entitlement-of-Hong-Kong-to-generalised-tariffs-preferences--1970 — Page 97

CONFIDENTIAL

4. Subject to your views I should have thought that there is still everything to be said for Mr. Rippon to tackle the Community at a high level on this question, not necessarily as part of the enlargement negotiations. Would his appointments with MM. Harmel, Deniau, Malfatti, etc. in Brussels on 13 October present an opportunity? Further and this is a version of a suggestion by Mr. Gallagher should we not also consider a high level approach to the French, perhaps by Mr. Soames being asked to call on M. Schumann?

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5. Subject to your views on the above, any communications and briefs that we write will have to deal both with Hong Kong's position in the enlargement negotiations and the Generalised Preferences Scheme. am not competent to deal with the former aspect but would of course be ready and willing to contribute to or provide passages for the latter aspect. If Mr. Rippon's visit to Brussels next week is to be used time is short. Furthermore, if any representations we make are to make any reference to the kind of compromise suggested by Mr. Jones (paragraph 3(d) above), we may need to ensure that the Hong Kong Government agree.

MinBalten

(R. G. Britten)

Trade Policy Department 7 October, 1970

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CONFIDENTIAL