TNAG-0341-FCO40-377-Effects-on-Hong-Kong-of-long-term-policy-for-textiles-in-int-1972 — Page 77

G.F. 323

0003230

CONFIDENTIAL

25

this is

سمنا

Quadly will

HMG defend her interests?

50.

representatives of the Member States.

It should be possible, in certain

circumstances, for the latter to

express national views as distinct

from those of the E.E.C.

These points were noted, but the D.T.I. representa-

tives seemed very doubtful as to whether the U.K.

representative's freedom to speak in G.A.T.T. forums

separately from the E.E.C's spokesman could extend as far

as the expression of contrary views. They saw the principal

defence of Hong Kong interests as being action by the U.K.

behind the scenes in Brussels (which, in my view, simply

would not do and would not be good enough presentationally

for our unofficials). It was decided that this last point

should be taken up by the F.C.O./D.T.I. with UKMIS Geneva

and UKDEL Brussels.