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CONFIDENTIAL
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Mr. Laird (HKD)
United Kingdom Relations with Hong Kong
on Textiles.
I am sorry it has taken me so long to reply to your minute of 2 July.
2.
I now attach comments from Mr. Britten (his minute of 7 July) and Mr. Dunnett (his letter of 10 July). As regards Mr. Britten's minute, the question of generalised preferences is being pursued elsewhere and I am inclined to accept his view that they are not particularly essential to the argument on textiles. If we were challenged on the point which Mr. Britten mentions in paragraph 2 of his minute we might reply that it was because we had Hong Kong's interests so much in mind that we agreed to the devolution of powers.
3. As regards Mr. Dunnett's comments, I am content to accept all the amendments he proposes. These are mainly of a constitutional nature intended to define more precisely and correctly Hong Kong's position under the GATT.
4.
I have again spoken to the MinTech (Mr. Gregory) about our urgent need for their comments on your original draft. Mr. Gregory was apologetic about the delay. He promised comments by tomorrow evening, 15 July. I realise this is most unsatisfactory but, if it is any solace, I believe that the delay is not the result of Mr. Gregory's second thoughts about the concordat but rather his sincere belief that FCO telegram No.462 of 10 July, which was agreed by Mr. Royle after Sir A. Part's meeting on that day, rendered further consideration of the concordat unnecessary. He now knows this is not so.
Можай
(M.E.Heath)
Commodities Department
14 July 1970.
CONFIDENTIAL
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