TNAG-0301-FCO40-337-Effects-of-tariffs-on-imports-of-cotton-textiles-to-UK-from--1971 — Page 191

2600027

C.S. 20A (Rev.)

CONFIDENTAL

SAVING DESPATCH URGENT

From the Governor, Hong Kong

To the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

Repeated to:-

Repeated to:

8 January 1971

Date...

My Reference CR 12/4841/69 II

Your Reference.

Exports of Cotton Textiles to Britain :

Post-1971 Arrangements

8.

C

No. 28

No.

No.

At a meeting which took place in the Foreign and Common- wealth Office on 24th November between representatives of the British and Hong Kong Governments, it was agreed that formal consultations regarding the British Government's policy on the importation of Commonwealth cotton textiles from January 1972 could be held if I so requested. I am now therefore seeking such consultations and, if it is convenient to you, suggest they might be held in London in either late January or early February.

2.

(a)

(b)

HIILG/508/8

(c)

3.

(a)

I propose the following items for discussion :

the probable effects on Hong Kong of implementation from 1st January 1972 of the policy regarding imports of Common- wealth cotton textiles which was announced by the then President of the Board of Trade on 22nd July 1969;

the further implications for Hong Kong of this policy in the light of Britain's application to join the European Economic Community;

the case for reconsideration of the implementation of this policy in view of the uncertainties surrounding trading conditions as a result of the E.E.C. application;

other measures which might alleviate the adverse effects on Hong Kong trade which are anticipated.

You will recall that in paragraph 2 of my Saving Despatch 237

NKI 6/25 (70) of 24th February 1970 I informed you that the Hong Kong Textiles

Advisory Board had set up an Advisory Committee to assess the likely effects of the new policy on Hong Kong's cotton textile exports to Britain and in paragraph 3 you were notified of a survey of manufac- turers and exporters then in progress. This survey covered 416 com- panies (manufacturers, manufacturers-cum-exporters and exporters) which accounted for 96% of the cotton textiles trade with Britain in 1969.

CONFIDENTIAL