TNAG-0342-FCO40-378-Effects-on-Hong-Kong-of-long-term-policy-for-textiles-in-int-1972 — Page 74

Reference MTG 1/393/1

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Mr Lambert (HKIOD)

HONG KONG'S GATT RELATIONSHIP

1.

I have the following amendments to suggest to the draft record of the meeting on 3 October, enclosed with Mr Goodfellow's letter HKK6/8 of 6 October to

Miss Elliott:

A

B.

a) Paragraph 2 (iv), insert the additional 2

sentences after "satisfactory solution" ["There was some discussion whether there were any precedents in GATT for such an arrangement, or whether this solution would itself serve as a precedent. On the first point, there was no precedent; on the second point, should the

Secretariat express concern about the establishment of a precedent, it should be pointed out that Hong Kong was important and different from other metropolitan territories."

In the following sentence the words "to this arrangement" might be inserted after"likely to agree".

b) Paragraph 2 (ii), this sentence might begin

"This presumably could be presentationally difficult etc"

c) For the record I think that a reference ought to

be made to the conversation which took place during the last few minutes of the meeting were Mr Haddon-Cave put up a marker about the need for continuing close consultation between the UK and Hong Kong. Thus, a 5th paragraph should be added as follows:"Finally, Mr Haddon-Cave asked that thought be given to the best means of ensuring the continuance of close and frequent consultation after Accession between Hong Kong and Whitehall on trade matters. It was for consideration, for example, whether Hong Kong should strengthen, her existing office in London. Miss Elliott pointed out that Hong Kong's voice in GATT would be strengthened if option 8(iv) in the enclosure to Mr Laidler's letter were adopted. It was agreed that Mr Haddon-Cave's point should be borne in mind in the light of future experience."

10 October 1972

Copies to:

Misa JB Elliott CRE 1 DTI

Mr Sinclair (Legal Advisers) Mr JV Hagestadt, CRE 3, DTI

A.n. Clark

A R Clark

Trade Policy Department G 1B/1 Tel G 54

DD 897152 154596 500M 2/72 GM_3643/2