TNAG-0301-FCO40-337-Effects-of-tariffs-on-imports-of-cotton-textiles-to-UK-from--1971 — Page 137

C

HM CUSTOMS AND EXCISE

Secretaries' Office

King's Beam House Mark Lane LONDON EC3

Your reference

Our reference

Date

Mr Dexter

RECEIVED IN

REGISTRY No.51

1 8 MAN 1971

HKK 6/548/3

3744/72

11 March 1971

il

Telephone 01-626 1515 ext 2375

Dear Ridley,

Thank you for sending us a copy of your note of 8 March to Brearley about transitional arrangements for cotton textiles. We have no objection to the course of action you suggest in paragraph 8 of the note provided that the import licencus do not beaya condition making them valid only if the goods were exported after a certain date.

We cannot undertake to verify the date of shipment. So far as paragraph 10 is concerned it seems that if DTI refuse to issue an import licence for goods which under the law require one we have no option but to seize them. Seizure would be maintained but I hesitate to say invariably, as I am sure exceptional circumstances could arise in which we might wish after seizure to restore the goods to the importer.

We agree that the arrangements should be well publicised and we would like to be consulted on the drafts.

Welch's comment is that from the Tariff point of view the proposal not to operate a duty relief from 1.1.72. is welcomed.

I am copying to the recipients of your note.

PRidley Esq

Department of Trade & Industry

CTI Division

Millbank Tower

Millbank

SW1

Yours sincerely,

(HS LINDSEY)