M. E. Heath, Esq.,
Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Great George Street,
S.W.1.
CONFIDEN
MINISTRY OF TECHNOLOGY
1 VICTORIA STREET
LONDON S.W.1
01-222 7877 Extn 2015
16 July 1970
...
Dea Mank
UK RELATIONS WITH HONG KONG ON TEXTILES
Your letters of 6th and 9th July.
I agree with the amendments proposed in the Board of Trade's letter of 10th, and attach further amendments we should like to propose.
I think most of these explain themselves. But the point implied by the suggestions in respect of para 12 and a new 16(a) is, of course, basic. It does not, I am bound to say, seem to me that in the present circumstances of the major international trading issue developing from the US position on textiles we can move towards the implementation of the line mooted in FCO telegram 415. I would, with respect, have thought that it was better to suspend trying to develop this course for the present at least until we have the results of the four-power talks and can form a better judgement of the effect of Hong Kong's pursuing independently the course of action she recently proposed. If we do now suspend action, and subject to how that situation develops, it might not, so far as textiles as such are concerned, be essential to retain the full force of those amendments though that is, I think, as much a matter for the Board of Trade as for us in Mintech (you will have seen the Board of Trade's minute of 7th July in response to Mr. Carey's of 6th). Meanwhile I offer the attached amendments in the light of the position as we now see it; but I am sure that Peter Carey, who is on leave this week, would be grateful for an opportunity to comment further before you finalise any submission to Ministers.
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Alan
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