TNAG-0309-FCO40-345-Contributions-of-Hong-Kong-for-costs-of-maintaining-military-1971 — Page 148

PRIORITY CYPHER/CAT A

FM F C 0 211630Z

SECRET

SECRET

(HK)

TO PRIORITY HONG KONG TELHO 387 OF 21 MAY,

MY TELNO 359.

PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM MONSON.

DEFENCE CONTRIBUTION.

1. FOR YOUR STRICTLY PERSONAL INFORMATION TREASURY HAVE AGREED

THAT IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE TO INCLUDE IN THE FINANCE BILL A PROVISION TO ALLOW TEMPORARY RELIEF FROM DUTY FOR COMMONWEALTH

COTTON TEXTILES SHIPPED UNDER THE QUOTA ARRANGEMENTS. IN THE

PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION LIKE FINANCE BILLS HOWEVER UNFORESEEN

DIFFICULTIES MAY COME UP AND WE CANNOT THEREFORE AUTHORISE

YOU TO SAY ANYTHING TO THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ABOUT THIS UNTIL

NEW CLAUSE HAS BEEN INTRODUCED DURING THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE

- BILL.

2. IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES REPLY TO UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS APPROVED BY MINISTERS (FCO TELEGRAMS NOS.385 AND 386) CONTAINS NO REFERENCE

TO TARIFF ON TEXTILES,

3. WE HOPE THAT THE NEW CLAUSE WILL DE TABLED NEXT WEEK AND WILL

TELEGRAPH YOU IMMEDIATELY WE HAVE ANY FURTHER NEWS.

DOUGLAS-HOME

FILES

HKD

DEF D

COMMODITIES D

SIR L IRONSON MR BOTTOMLEY MR GALLAGHER MR WILFORD MR CABLE

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No. 51

MAY 1971

HKK 10/9

SECRET

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