TNAG-0385-FCO40-431-Trade-relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-the-EEC-1974 — Page 132

GR 133

IMMEDIATE

CYPHER/CAT A

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DESKBY 073030 Z

TO IMMEDIATE GOVERNOR HONG KONG TELEGRAM NUMBER 1122 OF 6 NOVEMBER 73 AND TO B T C HONG KONG AND UKREP BRUSSELS.

YOUR TELEGRAM NUMBER 1265: EEC-GS P.

1. YOU WILL BE RECEIVING DETAILS OF THE UNATTRIBUTABLE BRIEFING THAT WE WILL BE GIVING IN BRUSSELS, TO THE EFFECT THAT WE HAVE RAISED THE QUESTION OF HONG KONG'S EXCLUSION FROM THE COMMUNITY'S GSP ON TEXTILES AND FOOTWEAR IN THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS AND HAVE GIVEN NOTICE THAT WE WILL REVERT TO THE QUESTION IN THE 1974 ANNUAL REVIEW AND WILL PRESS MOST RESOLUTELY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST HONG KONG.

2. GRATEFUL IF ON RECEIPT OF CONFIRMATION THAT THE POINT HAS BEEN RAISED IN THE COUNCIL IN THIS FORM, YOU COULD MAKE THE BEST USE POSSIBLE OF ITS POSITIVE FEATURES.

3. WE ACCEPT THAT ANY OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT WILL HAVE TO COME FROM H M G. WE ARE THEREFORE TRYING TO PROMOTE A PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER. WE WILL USE THIS ANSWER IN REPLYING TO THE PETITION FROM THE INDUSTRY.

DOUGLAS HOME

FILES

HKIOD

EID

TRED

PARLIAMENTARY UNIT

PS/MR ROYLE

MR ROBINSON

MR CARTER MR MARSHALL

COPIES TO

HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE

6 GRAFTON ST

CONFIDENTIAL