CONFIDENTIAL
จา
17 September, 1970.
94
? Sept
86
You are, I knew, aware of the recent discussions which have taken place between the Board of Trade, Ministry of Technology and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office about the delegation of authority to negotiate with other countries in respect of textiles and other commodities which it is proposed should be given to the Governor of Hong Kong. As the result of a meeting in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 2 October, the revise of a draft despatch which it is pro osed should be sent to the Governor, was sent to Dunnett on 8 September.
2.
1 understand that the Board of Trade have some reservations about including commodities other than textiles in the delegation of authority. As you know, in 1969 textiles represented nearly half (47%) of Hong Kong's total exports: of the remainder, the largest itens were! -
3.
Plastic toys and dolls #180
Radies
Electrical machinery
Footwear
Artificial flowers
Transistors à valves
7% of total exports
In the light of these figures we find it aifficult to believe that the proposed extension of the delegation would be likely to
Since present the Board of Frade with any substantial problems. interdepartmental agreement has already been reached at the official level on the delegation of authority for textiles, there would seam to be little point in excluding these much smaller items.
440 On general political grounds we are anxious that the delega- tion should be made as wide as possible and you will note that, to proteet ENG's position, paragraph 9 of the draft despatch has been strengthened to ensure that we are informed by the Government of Hong Kong about any prospective negotiations.
5. In the light of the above and in Leslie Monson's absence en leave I write to say that I very much hope that you will be able to support the proposals as set out in the revised draft despatch.
flughes, inq., C.B.,
Board of Trade
Victoria Street,
8.W.1.
16.
I
CONFIDENTIAL
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