TNAG-0334-FCO40-370-Visits-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Af-1972 — Page 231

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

DRAF

DRHIT BRIEF No 6.

I

EFFECT ON Hona Howa of BRITAIN'S ENTRY INTO THEI

THE

E.E.C

Commonwealth Preferences will be phased out during the transitional period after British entry into the Common Maplel, du apgurdanda with the agrood (Pugramme of introducing the EEC's tariffs. Hong Kong's interests

have been protected by the agreement reached in the

enlargement negotiations that she should be included in

the Generalised Preference Scheme of the enlarged Community. As a result of this, Hong Kong has been

enjoying the benefits of the Generalised Preference

Scheme offered by the Six since it came into force in

mid 1971. Also, as a result of the EEC's offer, other

countries have felt able on grounds of burden sharing

to follow suit. Moreover, the expansion of economic

activity in the UK, which enlargement should bring,

will in turn bring benefits to Hong Kong.

}