TNAG-0304-FCO40-340-Effects-of-tariffs-on-imports-of-cotton-textiles-to-UK-from--1971 — Page 149

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CONFIDENTIAL

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Mr Hale (Commodities Dept)

COTTON TEXTILE IMPOUTE FROM HONG KONG

1.

2.

Kr Farrow's minute to Mr Ridley of 8 December.

Sir Leslie Monson suggested that we i ht propose to r Royle at it be pointed cut to the inister for Trade in the DTI that the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary is responsible to Parliament for the peace, order and good goverment of Hong Kong. Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are ct of course responsible in any way for the affairs of the independent members of the Commonwealth.

3.

In this connection I am attaching a copy of a letter from the Chairman of the Hong Kong Association to Sir Leslie Monson together with a copy of a state- ment issued by the Chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber. This must clearly be shown to royle and, indeed, to the Secretary of State.

4. When you have had a chance to read these papers and having regard to cur telephone conversation yesterday we had better have another word to decide how we should srcceed.

10 December 1971

EC Laird

Hong Kong Department

CONFIDENTIAL