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or (11) to recognise that Hong Kong's interests are not always the same as those of the United Kingdom, to show other countries that we acknowledge this fact, and to intervene only when, in our judgment, the UK interests involved are of overriding importance. We would urge, therefore, that Melville's ideas be carefully considered. We suggest that, subject to the views of the Hong Kong Government, the first step should be to sound the Secretary General of GATT on the proposal that Hong Kong should have separate representation in the limited field of textiles. could conveniently be done at the time we tell Larg about the proposed delegation of authority in matters of overseas trade.
This
4. Apart from the immediate improvement in our relations with Hong Kong which action on these lines would bring, it is not too soon, in our view, to be giving thought to the longer term considerations to which Melville has referred in connection with our application for membership of the Community. We agree with Melville that separate Hong Kong representation in the limited field of textiles only would provide a test bed for assessing whether wider freedom could be given to Hong Kong in the GATT if and when we join the EEC. I must add that we too are appalled at the prospect of Hong Kong's interests being represented in GATT by a spokesman of the Commission of an enlarged Community.
5.
Mr. Royle, our Parliamentary Under-Secretary responsible for the affairs of Hong Kong, will be visiting the Colony next week. I shallbe accompanying him. I would, therefore, be nost grateful if you could let me have at least your preliminary reaction to the proposals in this letter by 5 October.
(K.H. Wilford)
C.C.
P.W. Carey, Esq..
Ministry of Technology.
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