TNAG-0303-FCO40-339-Effects-of-tariffs-on-imports-of-cotton-textiles-to-UK-from--1971 — Page 42

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TO IMEDIATE HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO. 937 OF 3 DECEMBER.

YOUR TELEGRAM HO. 991: COTTON TEXTILES.

WE HAVE ARRANGED FOR THE MEETING TO START AT 10.30 AM ON 6 DECEMBER (WE WILL TELL SELLERS OF THE DETAILS). MR ROYLE WOULD LIKE TO SEE HADDON-CAVE AND HO AT 4.45 PM ON 6 DECEMBER.

2. GIVEN THE DANGER THAT PREMATURE DISCLOSURE OF THE GOVERNMENT'S

INTENTIONS MICHT LEAD TO PRESSURE TO MAKE THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE

CHANGE IN POLICY EARLIER THAN THE DATE OF THE DEBATE ON THE AFFIRMATIVE RESOLUTION (PRESENTLY SET FOR 9 DECEMBER), THE QUESTION OF WHAT SHOULD BE SAID TO THE PRESS IS A VERY DELICATE ONE (WE HAVE ALREADY HEARD RUMOURS THAT A JOURNALIST HAS GOT WIND OF THE GOVERNMENTS DECISION).

3. WE HOPE TO MAINTAIN THE LINE BY REFERRING ANY ENQUIRERS TO THE STATEMENT MADE BY MR GRANT IN PARLIAMENT ON 29 NOVEMBER (DURING AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE BRITISH TEXTILE INDUSTRY) WHERE HE SAID INTER ALIA:

QUOTE THE GOVERNMENT ARE CONSIDERING, IN THE LIGHT OF THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION AND

RECENT INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE

TEXTILE TRADE, WHETHER THERE IS ANY NEED

FOR FURTHER ACTION AT THE PRESENT TIME IN

RELATION THE INDUSTRY UNQUOTE: AND

QUOTE THE MERE FACT THAT DURING THE HALF HOUR

ADJOURNMENT DEBATE I HAVE NOT ANNOUNCED AN

ENTIRELY NEW POLICY, DOES NOT MEAN THAT

THE GOVERNMENT ARE NOT LOOKING AT THIS

MATTER WITH GREAT CONCERN UNQUOTE.

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No.51

-6 DEC 1971

WKX6/548

4. IT WOULD HELP US THEREFORE, IF YOU COULD CONFINE YOUR

STATEMENT TO THAT SET OUT IN PARAGRAPH 3 OF THE TELEGRAM

UNDER REFERENCE.

DOUGLAS-HOME

INTERNATIONAL TRADE DISTRIBUTION

COMMODITIES D

HKD

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COFIES TO

MISS WELCH D'II

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