THE TIMES
Cutting dated 19. JAV 1972 19
Hongkong tariff talks break up
By Guy Hawtin
The London talks on Britain's decision to retain quotas for Hong- kong's woven cotton textiles have apparently failed to produce any form of agreement. The official position is that both sides are re- porting back to their respective governments.
There is no sign yet that more talks are to be started. Last week's talks continued for two days longer than expected and earlier discus- sions last month ended without an acceptable compromise.
Britain's Anglo-Hongkong par- liamentary group is to approach the Government to make sure that the colony's difficulties have been fully appreciated.
Mr Peter Blaker, Conservative MP for Blackpool, South, and the group's chairman, said yesterday that Hongkong was in a unique position among Britain's textile suppliers-it was developing country with special economic problems and at the same tine a dependent territory.
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Mr Blaker said: "It is rather
difficult for Hongkong Govern- ment representatives to negotiate with the British Governmear. They are officials subordinate to HM Government who are in fact negor tiating with their superiors.”
Meanwhile, Hongkong's negoti- ating position is energing more clearly. It seems that it has been appreciated for some time in the colony that Britain would not be able to operate a system based purely on tariffs. The main objec- tion to the reimposition of quotas has been the short notice given.
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REGISTRY No. 1 20JAN 1972
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