TNAG-0369-FCO40-415-Visit-of-Edward-Heath--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Hong-Kong--12-1-1974 — Page 146

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

Line to Take (in public - only if pressed):

The stability of sterling is clearly in Hong

Kong's interests as well as Britain's.

how been accepted on

We believ

Kenny

The interim arrangement is/satisfactory for Hong

Kong. For the longer term, after next March, we

other

1

are consulting Hong Kong and over sterling holders

about the possible arrangements that Hight sizit

them

(With unofficial Members of Executive and Legislative Council): The Prime Minister could

also point out that we have made a number of

concessions over the interim agreement to meet

Hong Kong's special needs. These include the

7.

is

a very valmal Safes ward for

Hong Kong

reduction of Hong Kong's MSP

Moreover the quarantice is at the rate of mus. $2.42, Gis the current Stering / dottor mate this

Hong Kong and the EEC Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) We align with the Community's

scheme on 1 January. In 1971 the Community agreed

to admit Hong Kong to their GSP, except for

textiles and footwear. Exports of these important

items from some of Hong Kong's major competitors

amongst the developing countries are, however,

included in the GSP. As a result of our alignment

we shall therefore be seen to discriminate against

certain exports from our own colony. Hong Kong

are concerned about this, for its own sake and

because of the bad example to other importers such

as Japan and the USA. We judged that there was

no chance of persuading the Community to make a

change for Hong Kong's benefit before 1 January,

Therefore

reser

and that we should, reserve our efforts for next

/year.

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

1

(17345) Dd.145178 400m 5/73 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.863

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

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