TNAG-0299-FCO40-335-Entitlement-of-Hong-Kong-to-generalized-tariffs-preferences--1971 — Page 9

CONFIDENTIAL

EXTRACT FROM A DRAFT RECORD OF A MEETING BETWEEN THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY AND THE JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE ON 11 JUNE 1971

Generalised Preferences

Mr Aichi said that it was essential to bring the

Some

preferences scheme into effect at the earliest possible date.

He hoped that this could be done on 1 August this year.

restrictions would have to be introduced in respect of Hong Kong.

However time would be needed for technical preparation and

adjustments. The arrangements for Hong Kong and other dependent

territories would therefore be brought into effect at some date

later than 1 August this year. The Japanese Government were well

aware of the British request, particularly because of the

Prime Minister's letter to Mr Sato, and had the matter under

consideration with a view to granting preferences to Hong Kong

at the earliest possible date.

Mr Bottomley referred to the plans which had been made for

officials of the Government of Hong Kong to visit Tokyo on

17 June and hoped that their talks there might result in

clarification of the restrictions which the Japanese Government

would feel it necessary to maintain, Mr Aichi was not aware

of these plans and presumed that they had been made since his

departure from Japan. The delegation would however be welcomed.

He thought that their visit would provide an admirable opportunity

for Japan to explain the timetable which it had in mind. The

first stage of their scheme would be introduced on 1 August.

second stage, relating to Hong Kong and other dependent territories

would come later. There would have to remain a few restrictions.

Mr Bottomley enquired whether the second stage would definitely

include the grant of preferences to Hong Kong. Mr Aichi confirmed that the Japanese Government policy definitely was to

1 CONFIDENTIAL

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