TNAG-0300-FCO40-336-Entitlement-of-Hong-Kong-to-generalized-tariffs-preferences--1971 — Page 163

t

however be excluded from the offer list of the Six

in respect of all dependent territories.

3. The United Kingdom scheme will, it is hoped, be

not later that 1.dan 1972. brought into operation by the end of the year. You

may wish to note that under the United Kingdom offer

you may take advantage of either existing Commonwealth

preference rules or the GPS. Further details of our

scheme as well as those of other donors will be sent to

you as they become available. It is expected that

Japan may offer a somewhat limited version of their

scheme to all dependent territories to come into

operation after the start of their main scheme on 1

(not later than August 1971 but before 1 April 1972. The United

States has yet to begin the process of passing the

necessary GPS legislation and it is far from clear

how Congress may choose to modify the scheme put for-

ward by the USA in UNCTAD or indeed when this scheme

(it must be expected that might come into operation, though the Americans will

7the

in all probability maintain their refusal to give.

preferences to countries or territories granting

(eg Commonwealth preference) reverse preferences/to developed countries unless an

undertaking is given that these will be phased out by

1975.

This despatch is addressed to the British Govern-

ment Representative, Castries, with copies for onward

transmission to the Governments of the West Indies

Associated States; the High Commissioner Western

Pacific for British Solomon Islands Protectorate, New

Hebrides and Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony; the

Governors and Commanders-in-Chief, Gibraltar, British

Honduras, Falkland Islands, Seychelles, Bahamas, St.

2

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