TNAG-0249-FCO40-285-Effect-of-entry-of-UK-into-EEC-on-exports-from-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 162

CONFIDENT LAL

CYPHER/CAT A

ROUTINE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

TO

HONG KONG

TELEGRAM NO. 491

REF.

CONFIDENTIAL

NEKT

REF.

35)

24 JULY 1973 (MW)

YOUR TEL 475: CONSULTATIONS ABOUT BRITISH ENTRY INTO THE E.E.C.

IT HAS BEEN AGREED THAT DODGE SHOULD ATTEND COMMONWEALTH BRIEFING MEETINGS IN BRUSSELS (SEE WILFORD'S LETTER OF 18 JULY TO SORBY), AND HE ATTENDED THE MEETING ON 22 JULY,

2. THE TROUBLE ABOUT YOUR ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSIONER IN LONDON ATTENDING THE BRIEFING OF COMMONWEALTH HIGH COMMISSIONERS HERE IS THAT IF WE AGREED TO THIS OTHER DEPENDENT TERRITORIES WOULD, WE FEAR, SEEK REPRESENTATION AND THE MEETINGS WOULD BECOME VERY UNWIELDY. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE LONDON MEETINGS IS TO BRIEF THOSE COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES (AND THERE ARE MANY OF THEM) WHICH ARE NOT REPRESENTED IN BRUSSELS, WE THINK IT MOST UNLIKELY THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSIONER IF HE WERE TO ATTEND THE MEETINGS HERE WOULD LEARN ANYTHING NOT ALREADY KNOWN TO YOU THROUGH DODGE. IT IS PROBABLE THAT WHEN WE GET DOWN TO DETAILED NEGOTIATIONS BRIEFINGS OF COMMONWEALTH HIGH COMMISSIONERS WILL BE BY GROUPS WHICH SHARE INTERESTS IN SIMILAR PROBLEMS. WE SHALL, OF COURSE, BRIEF YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IN LONDON WHERE APPROPRIATE AS INDICATED

IN MY TEL. 403.

3. AS REGARDS THE PROPOSAL IN YOUR PARAGRAPH 2, WE SUGGEST THAT YOU DISCUSS THIS WITH DENMAN DURING HIS VISIT NEXT MONTH. A SUMMER MEETING IS LIKELY TO BE DIFFICULT TO ARRANGE, PARTLY BECAUSE OF ABSENCE ON HOLIDAY, AND WE SHALL PROBABLY HAVE A CLEARER PICTURE OF THE COURSE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS IN THE AUTUMN.

DOUGLAS-HOME

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

E.I.D. H.K.D.

COPIES TO: MR, DENMAN, BOT

CONFIDENTIAL