Because of Her Majesty's Government's responsibility for Hong Kong's international trading relations, the Government of Hong Kong will have to keep Her Majesty's Government informed about what they are doing. I rely on you also to keep me informed of matters affecting the conduct of separate negotiations by Hong Kong. Moreover, the constitutional position being what it is, Her Majesty's Government must reserve their rights in respect of any action the Government of Hong Kong may propose to take within the terms of the delegation of authority. But Her Majesty's Government will not normally expect to intervene, and if on occasion it is propose that a policy with which the Government of Hong Kong disagree should be followed by Hong Kong the rights of Her Majesty's Government will be exercised only after the
views and advice of the Government of Hong Kong have been considered at Ministerial level. Apart from that, Her Majesty's Government will continue to keep in the closest possible touch, with the Government of Hong Kong and will always be ready to support the Government of Hong Kong where they seek help to secure their rights under international agreements.
8. It is my hope that the practice, now taken for granted in the Cotton Textiles Committee, will quickly come to be accepted in meetings at which non-cotton textiles are discussed. I think the change should come into effect with as little publicity as possible. I propose, therefore, that the new arrangements be explained to the Secretary General of GATT informally and that other interested parties be told only when Her Majesty's Government think it necessary to dissociate the United Kingdom from Hong Kong
policy.
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