TNAG-0385-FCO40-431-Trade-relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-the-EEC-1974 — Page 49

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REFERENCES

Flag A 9 November 1973

Written Parliamentary Question by Mr P M Hordern MP

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26

Hong Kong and the EEC GSP

Pre. see mimis there is apparently

NOTES FOR SUPPLEMENTARIES

1.

WHY DID YOU NOT PRESS FOR INCLUSION OF HONG KONG'S TEXTILES

AND FOOTWEAR IN THE COMMUNITY GSP FOR 1974?

We would not have been able to get agreement on the inclusion

of Hong Kong's textiles and footwear now. We therefore decided

to concentrate our effort on next year's review. We intend

to press most resolutely for their inclusion in the Community's

scheme from 1975 onwards.

2. HAVE THERE BEEN ANY IMPROVEMENTS FOR HONG KONG IN THE EEC GSP?

There have been a number of improvements which should benefit

Hong Kong. These are in addition to general improvements such as

the up-dating of the statistical basis for calculating tariff

quotas from 1968 to 1971. This helps to increase the quotas by

an average of 40 per cent over what they would otherwise have

been for the enlarged Community. The butoirs have been raised in

fourteen cases from 20 per cent to 30 per cent. Seven of these

English aquivalent increases involve significant Hong Kong trade.

TM.

13.