TNAG-0302-FCO40-338-Effects-of-tariffs-on-imports-of-cotton-textiles-to-UK-from--1971 — Page 166

CONFIDENTIAL

3. Discussions with Rt Hon 6 Rippon in Hong Kong 12. 2.70

"Mr Rippon said that assuming the four applicants gained entry, the enlarged Community was going to be very different to the Six. The UZ and the other applicants would injoot different views from some of those prevalent at the moment and this had been for some time the fear of

certain present members."

•

4. Record of a Joint TIAB/TEXTAB Meeting held in the Commerce & Industry

Department 14. 9.70.

"Mr Rippon The decision on textile tariffs had been taken by the

previous Government and had yet to be reviewed by the new one: but he

thought its reversal unlikely. He appreciated the dangers of trade disruption, for the Lancashire industry as well as Hong Kong, of short term policies but foresaw no danger of Hong Kong having to face both

tariffs and quotas before British entry into the EEC; and only then if

the policy of the enlarged I still demanded it by the end of the

transition period."

"Mr Rippon appreciated that the political nitation conatitaited un

additional problem. Hong Kong was a dependent territory of Britain

but it was intended during the negotiations to remind the European Comminition that there were wider interests involved. He appreciated that

China had a strong interest in maintaining the Status-quo in Hong Kong. He thought Mr Cater's views were very relevant.He hoped that there would

be no dramatic cut in wages in any sector of industry as a consequence of British entry into the EEC. He felt that problems of that nature were

more likely to arise from the protectionist policies, and those the UK

would hope to be able to influence effectively from within the enlared

“Community."