TNAG-0298-FCO40-334-Entitlement-of-Hong-Kong-to-generalized-tariffs-preferences--1971 — Page 81

Department of fique and Indusvið

BOARD OF TRADE

1, VICTORIA street,

LONDON S.W.1

RC Britten Esq.,

Trade Policy Department

Foreign and Commonwealth Office Great George Street

LONDON SW1

3 December 1970

Dear Rae,

JAPAN'S BENEFICIARIES

Mr Endo of the Japanese Embassy came to see me again today on this question. This time he had instructions from Tokyo to seek a great deal of detailed information on our dependent territories so that the Japanese authorities could understand precisely the full implications for their industries and for their Customs authorities of including these territories and could give appropriate answers to any questions raised in the Diet. This information is clearly needed soon since the legislation may have to be submitted in January . Endo referred to the list of our dependent territories and associated countries in paragraph 243 of TD/B/329,Add. 4. I attach the list which he gave me of the information which they want. You will see that this includes details of the Customs Administrations of all these places, their trade policies and the amounts and products of their exports.

2. I pointed out that it would take some time and some research to extract the information requested on the rather long list of countries, including the Middle East Sheikdoms which might raise particular difficulties. However I hoped that within the Foreign Office, Customs and this department we would have most at least of whatever information was available. I tried to persuade him to agree that it was only the Pacific territories that were really relevant to the Japanese Diet but he would not agree to anything less than the full information.

3. I am not sure how best to proceed. If you agree it might be the best course for you to consult the relevant Departments in the FCO and then to address to Customs or the Country Desks here, questions on any points where you do not have the information.

4. I said that either you or I would ring Mr Endo back shortly in order to tell him how long this exercise might take.

Copied to: I J White Esq.,

DP Brearley Esq.,

Customs

Yours

Even

Jurs wer,

(0 H Kervis)

Tariff Division

JS Wycherley Esq.

CRE2

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