TNAG-0242-FCO40-278-Conduct-of-Hong-Kong-commercial-relations-1970 — Page 59

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Hong Kong's rights under the G.A.T.T.

7. Mr. Audland recalled that in the last round of talks the

Hong Kong Delegation had asked what would happen to Hong Kong's

G.A.T.T. rights if the member states of an enlarged Community

withdrew from the G.A.T.T. as individual countries and rejoined

as a single body. We had said that the Six showed no sign of

considering this necessary and that it was most unlikely that

such a thing would happen within any likely timescale for our

If, at some future date after British entry, the negotiations.

enlarged Community thought it necessary to take this step,

Britain would no doubt ensure that satisfactory arrangements were

made for Hong Kong. After taking legal advice on the point we

still adhered to this view. The question had also been raised

of Britain giving Hong Kong autonomy in the conduct of her

external commercial relations. We had found that there would

be no legal objection to this under the G.A.T.T., but agreed

with the Hong Kong Delegation that the political objections to

this course were decisive.

18.

I