TNAG-0332-FCO40-368-Visits-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Af-1972 — Page 30

CONFIDENTIAL

(D) GENERALISED PREFERENCE SCHEME

Hon. Sir Y.K. KAN

Secretary of State

Hon. T.K. ANN

Secretary of State

The Japanese had originally agreed to admit Hong Kong to this scheme as from 1.4.72.; but recently some doubt seemed

to have arisen about their attitude.

There might be some need for further

discussion as to which items were to be included in/excluded from the scheme. For example, it was realised that textiles

could not be included.

Understood Hong Kong would definitely be included. Will explore this in more detail with the Japanese.

The U.K. definition of "Developing Country" for the purposes of the Generalised

Preference Scheme is stricter than that

adopted by the E.E.C.; this means that Hong Kong has less chance of admission.

Will investigate this. When Br tain becomes a member of E.E.C., the same

rules will in any case have to be applied

to all.

CONFIDEN 11AL

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