TNAG-0246-FCO40-282-Imports-of-textiles-from-Hong-Kong-to-UK-1970 — Page 40

(36) on

HWB 6/47 (Flag A)

(38) on HWB 6/47 (Flag B)

Background

3. In August, 1968 the Board of Trade presented an Aide

Memoire for transmission to the Hong Kong Government, to the

effect that HMG wished to negotiate reduced levels of imports

of wide sheeting and sheets because the sheeting sector of the

cotton textile industry was suffering material injury.

ilar negotiations were to be held with India.

already been put under restraint.

4.

Sim-

Portugal had

The Hong Kong Government agreed to consider the United

Kingdom case and it was arranged that Mr S. Stewart (then of

the Board of Trade) should visit Hong Kong for negotiations

on the 5th - 6th September, taking in negotiations with India

on the return journey. When the Aide Memoire was being draf-

ted we already had reason to be dissatisfied with the attitude

of the Board of Trade (and of Mr Stewart in particular) and

shortly before the negotiations were due to commence we found

it necessary:-

(a) to impress upon the Board of Trade that the

negotiations must be regarded as taking place

within the context of the Heads of Agreement

(b) to insist that we should see the Board of Trade

(c)

brief

to inform the Board of Trade that I would attend

the talks.

Mr Mason's letter of the 27th August, 1968 to Mr Carey and the

note of a meeting on the 29th August with the Board of Trade

are relevant.

In the event a copy of the Board of Trade brief

was supplied only hours before my departure.

/5.