TNAG-0386-FCO40-432-Exports-of-non-cotton-textiles-from-Hong-Kong-to-the-EEC-1973 — Page 60

Mr Wilford

Mr Logan

CONFIDENTIAL

56

TA

TEXTILES: HONG KONG AND THE EEC

1. You will wish to know that the EEC discussions on a

possible mandate for a Community agreement with Hong Kong on

non-cotton textiles have been further adjourned until May.

2. Meanwhile Mr Dorwood, the Acting Deputy Director of

Commerce and Industry, Hong Kong, who has been in London for

discussions with the DTI, made the personal suggestion that

there might be an agreement, Communitywide and comprehensive

in form, whereby the Hong Kong Government would agree to

inform individual countries of the Community of 6 monthly

projections of each exports of all categories. The importing

each

countries would have a right, if they wished to draw Hong Kong's

attention to increases and to propose restrictions to take

effect for that particular country 6 months ahead. This would

amount to a comprehensive agreement, but without specific

trigger points or consultation levels. It would have the

advantage for Hong Kong that manufacturers could plan with

confidence 6 months ahead. It would also reconcile the

concepts of originaliom and proven damage with the desire for

an agreement with the Community as a whole.

regionaliom

3. Mr Ridley, the responsible Under-Secretary in the DTI,

made the revealing comment that the problem for the UK was

that restrictions on specific items by one country would not

then need the agreement of other members of the Community.

The UK's interest was to take a hard line on restrictions

/until

CONFIDENTIAL

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