TNAG-0300-FCO40-336-Entitlement-of-Hong-Kong-to-generalized-tariffs-preferences--1971 — Page 86

Mer Lambert.

CONFIDENTIAL

Reference.

GENERALISED PREFERENCE SCHEME: HONG KONG

298

1. Tran, the desk officer in the Commission who deals with the Community Generalised Preference Scheme and in particular with Hong Kong's participation in it, telephoned me on 11 October to say that he was under great pressure from several member states, and in particular from the French, about a number of tariff items, where Hong Kong's preferential exports had been substantial and were giving rise to anxiety.

2. Tran went on to say that the main items where trouble had blown up were binoculars, television sets and cine cameras. There were also problems about toys and glassware but he was not under so much pressure to deal with them.

3. According to Tran, the Commission, who were currently consideringtheir draft proposals for the Community regulations governing the tariffquotas under their Generalised Preference Scheme for the calendar year 1972, were greatly embarrassed by this situation. They did not want to propose formal measures for the exclusion from the preference scheme of items such as binoculars, television sets and cine cameras. But they were under great pressure; and they would not be able to resist this pressure if Hong Kong's exports continued on the same basis.

4. I told Tran that, so far as I could see, this was a case where the Commission should deal direct with the Hong Kong authorities in the first instance at least; and that he should therefore get in touch with Mr Dodge. Tran said that he would do this within · the next day or two.

5. I told Mr Dodge of my conversation with Tran; and he will be seeing Tran as soon as the latter asks him to call. He will keep us in touch with subsequent developments.

Copy to:

Mr Christofas

Mr Mellon

Mr Cooke o.r.

and to:

Attanay

(D HA Hannay) 11 October 1971

EEC BRUSSELS.

P Dodge Esq (Hong Kong Office) GR Denman Esq CNG (DTI)

O Kenmis Esq (DTI)

M Perceval Esq (TPD FCO) M Laird Esq (Hong Kong Dept

Thank you - pl. KIV 4 p.v. any distipments in order to inform for hand M. Charles

an this within.

FCO)

In Chawley

11. obyek.

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exports on those items exports Mr Percerals bonors nothing more then onrebes about this, DTI. The latter suggest HK may have to extrain be but will await for the sports from formals. Possibly there items will In the EZC Sensitive Is IDENTI

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