W(B)L 51-7406
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CONFIDENTI AL
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NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
the UK Delegation in the Cotton Textiles Committee. If therefore the proposed action were explained on the grounds that it did no more than reflect the realities of the
situation, and was indeed the best way in which we could exercise our responsibilities for Hong Kong in the interests of the Colony, we would hope that the practice, now taken for granted in the Cotton Textiles Committee, would quickly come to be accepted in meetings at which non-cotton textiles were discussed. The views expressed by representatives of Hong Kong, even though they were members of the UK Delegation, would not necessarily reflect our views. We would hope that, as
in the CTC, arrangements could be worked out on the spot whereby the expression of
conflicting views could be avoided.
7. We would have to inform other interested
parties and the Secretary General of GATT that Hong Kong would, in future, be acting independently in all textile matters. consulting Sir E. Melville about this (see my telegram No.
274to Geneva).
We are
8. We do not think that arrangements on these
lines would lead us into difficulties with
the CPG. We would, however, be glad of your views both on this point and on the proposals as a whole which we must emphasise merely represent the views here at official level. If, as we hope, you agree that we should pursue these ideas we would like to submit detailed proposals to Ministers as soon as
possible.
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