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Hong Kong's case
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3. Mr. Rippon said there would be a meeting of deputies in Brussels very shortly and a further Ministerial meeting in November. Although the Hong Kong Government took every opportunity to present Hong Kong's case, it was most valuable to him to be able to hear opinions at first hand. He had been told that Hong Kong did not ask for special consideration but rather that it should not be discriminated against. He had a great deal of sympathy for this line, and would welcome members' views. If it were wished a case could be put forward for Hong Kong's association with the EEC. In the 1961-63 negotiations this had been rejected but, as far as the present application went, Britain's request for associate status for its dependencies remained on the table and could be reactivated. There would perhaps be advantage, however, in suggesting instead that Hong Kong should be compensated for loss of preference in the British market in other ways. He was aware that one could not talk only of the overall economic effects on Hong Kong, but must have regard to specific effects on certain sectors which would be particularly affected by Britain's entry into the EEC.
Other problems of Hong Kong
4. Mr. Rippon said it was also interesting for him to hear views on matters of concern to Hong Kong other than Britain's entry into the Common Market; for example the General Preference Scheme, United States protectionism and growing competition from Taiwan and South Korea. As regards the General Preference Scheme, Britain was seeking to safeguard Hong Kong's interest as far as she was able to and would continue to do so. Britain had now excluded textiles from her offer, which would be to Hong Kong's advantage.
Associated status for Hong Kong
5. Sir S. N. Chau recalled that, in 1963, he had led a mission to the Common Market countries. He had then got the impression that Hong Kong could hope for nothing better than a reasonably extended transitional period. He wondered how valuable, if it were now a possibility, association with the EEC would be. Mr. Rippon said associated status brought with it obligations as well as benefits and might not be to Hong Kong's advantage. He doubted if it would really be possible for Hong Kong to obtain associated status in any event, even though the EEC had changed considerably since the request for associate status had been refused in 1962-63.
6. Mr. Cater suggested that to press for association might be of value as a negotiating tactic. Even if the request was not accepted, the fact that it had been made would possibly make it that much more difficult for the EEC to refuse to assist Hong Kong in such matters as the General Preference Scheme. Mr. Gordon felt there was much to be said for that argument, although he also did not think that Hong Kong would be granted associate status. With regard to Mr. Cater's suggestion. Mr. Rippon felt that the result might be to show Hong Kong as having suffered a needless defeat. However, this idea would be considered.
British tariffs for cotton woven textiles
7. Mr. Yang raised the subject of the proposed British changeover, in 1972, from duty-free entry against quotas to quota-free entry against tariffs for cotton woven textiles imported from Hong Kong and other Commonwealth suppliers. He felt that as the EEC policy involved the use of both tariffs and quotas there was the prospect, should the British application be successful, of Hong Kong having to face both quota restrictions and tariffs within a short time. Furthermore, the
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