HKK 6/1
Mr Brind (European Integration Department E 04)
Mr Perceval (Trade Policy Department G 18/1)
GENERALISED PREFERENCES HONG KONG
1. During the Third Session of Consultations with Hong Kong Government officials on 2 November 1970, the Governor asked that the UK should urge the EEC to exclude textiles and shoes entirely from their offer of Generalised Preferences. The UK side were unable to agree to this proposal and gave reasons for their view. The Governor, however, did not accept our arguments against approaching the EEC in this matter and finally the Chairman stated that in the last resort it would depend on Ministers.
2. Submission of 8 January that we do not take action as proposed by the Governor was agreed by Ministers.
3. During the meeting with Mr Cater, the Hong Kong Director of Commerce and Industry, in London on 29 January, this subject was discussed. As the result Mr Rippon sent telegram No 91 of 29 January to the Governor in which he referred, in paragraph 3, to discrimination against Hong Kong in favour of her competitors and took the view that to ask the EEC for an undertaking on this might jeopardise their offer of Preferences to Hong Kong. The Governor in his telegram No 64 of 1 February agreed to the proposed statement to the EEC being made by Mr Rippon.
4. It would seem from this exchange that it will not be necessary formally to inform the Governor that his request has been turned down by Ministers. If this is agreed, it will obviate the necessity of giving the Governor a negative answer which might provoke him into raising the question of the EEC offer of Preferences for Hong Kong once more.
5.
I should be grateful for your views on this.
Bu 2 weily
Ви
$2570
24 February 1971
G F Kinnear
Hong Kong Department
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.