TNAG-0304-FCO40-340-Effects-of-tariffs-on-imports-of-cotton-textiles-to-UK-from--1971 — Page 107

that where we are unable to accept any of the Hong Kong

proposals we should be able to demonstrate, with as much

factual information as we can, why those proposals would

present a serious erosion of the intent behind the

Government's decision. (Given that the Hong Kong Delegation will be

accompanied by seven senior textile advisers, this aspect is particularly important.)

We would therefore find it most useful if your

officials could let us know fairly soon how they envisage

undertaking the preparatory work for the resumed talks;

and, while this is not specifically on the agenda,

whether they consider we might be able to be more

forthcoming at the talks on our own intentions towards

formulating a textile trade policy, together with our

partners in the enlarged EEC, which takes account

equally of the interests of developing countries in

expanding their exports of textiles and of the need of

the textile industries here and elsewhere in the

Community to evolve on a basis of genuine competitiveness;

and of the right of efficient producers and their

workers to safeguards against disruptive imports.

I realise this is a longer term problem, but if we

could demonstrate to the Hong Kong delegation that we

now seriously intended to promote a textile trade policy

along the foregoing lines, this might also help in

softening the immediate effects of our reversal on

quotas.

You might wish to arrange for Anthony Grant to see

this correspondence.

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