TNAG-0243-FCO40-279-Conduct-of-Hong-Kong-commercial-relations-1973 — Page 60

Hong Kong, and, with the approval of Her Majesty's

Government, the Government of Hong Kong have

negotiated bilateral agreements for restraint of

trade in cotton goods with all the major importing

Moreover, the countries party to the

countries.

LTA are members of the Cotton Textiles Committee

of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade

(GATT) and Hong Kong's representatives attend

meetings of this Committee as members of the

United Kingdom Delegation. They have an opportunity

to present Hong Kong's views independently but/in

practice direct conflict in the expression of

views is avoided. These arrangements reflect the

fact that Hong Kong, being a dependent territory,

is not a separate member of the GATT, and is

represented in the GATT by the United Kingdom

Delegation.

but/in

A

I while allowing ca khong khong to find independas

expression,

iraus porit

5. It follows from the constitutional position

that, in terms of international law, Her Majesty's

Government cannot abrogate final responsibility

for the Hong Kong Government's external relations.

However, as stated in my predecessor's saving

despatch No. 369 of 31 July, 1969, having regard

to the considerable number of trading arrangements

and agreements into which Hong Kong enters in

terms of the LTA, I do not consider it necessary

or practicable for the terms of every such

arrangement or agreement to be scrutinised in

London before it is concluded and can be registered where appropriate

İf NGC908ery under Article 102 of the United Nations

Charter.

Frovided, therefore, that you are

satisfied that the conclusion of any LTA

arrangement does not jeopardise the interests of

Her Majesty's Government or commit Her Majesty's

/Government....

NOTHING TO BE Wwritten IN THIS MARGIN

Page 60Page 61