TNAG-0304-FCO40-340-Effects-of-tariffs-on-imports-of-cotton-textiles-to-UK-from--1971 — Page 71

From the

Parliamentary Secretary

Peter Blaker Esq MP House of Commons London SW1

DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY

1 VICTORIA STREET

LONDON SWI

01-222 7877

20 December 1971

165

Dean Peter

Thank you for your letter of 24 November about the question of imports of Hong Kong textiles after we join the EEC. You have since heard John Davies statement to the House on 8 December on cotton textiles in 1972 which is relevant to this question. I enclose a copy for ease of reference.

The considerations put forward in the letter from the Secretary of the Hong Kong Association about future UK policy when we become members of the Community are obviously pertinent. The UK will continue, as heretofore, to bear in mind the interests of Hong Kong. But it is clearly difficult to predict in any detail at this stage the way in which the policies of the enlarged Community will evolve, particularly given the uncertain outlook for world trade in textiles. This is a matter on which the enlarged Community will have to work out its position during the course of 1973.

NICHOLAS RIDLEY

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