TNAG-0386-FCO40-432-Exports-of-non-cotton-textiles-from-Hong-Kong-to-the-EEC-1973 — Page 90

Department of Trade and Industry Chemicals & Textiles Division

Millbank Tower Millbank London SW1

Telex 263171 Telegrams Advantage London SW1

HKX6/6

Telephone 01-83X 2255 3XX

834 4422

Ext 737

1

46

J

Mr Goodfellow HK&IOD

Foreign & Commonwealth Office King Charles Street

London SW1

My dear Mark

NON-COTTON TEXTILES FROM HONG KONG

Your reference

Our reference

Date 22 March 1973

We spoke yesterday about UKREP telegram no. 1510 of 20 March, which was copied by bag to Hong Kong. You were anxious that Hong Kong should see it without the delay of a few days which this would entail, and we agreed that you would copy it telegraphically to Hong Kong, but at the same time suggest that it might with advantage be read in conjunction with our reply.

The message which we do want to get across (again) to Hong Kong is the first sentence of paragraph 3. We realise that Hong Kong does not want to restrain anything, unilaterally, unless there is at least a prima facie case of market disruption. Since there is no negotiation in the true sense between Hong Kong and the EEC, the judgement of what coverage, base period etc etc. would be acceptable to both sides this is essentially what is meant by there being a "case" for voluntary restraints is very difficult. Nevertheless, it is clear that Hong Kong ought to do something unilaterally for the Benelux, and we hope that it will not be so limited as to be counter-productive.

A draft reply to Brussels is attached. I would be glad to have comments from you and the others to whom I am copying this letter, in time to send the telegram before lunchtime tomorrow.

Yours

Роти

RP Hope

Lelegram cleased

Na Haple with Eid

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EID, FCO

c.c. Mr Hall

Mr Hazle TRD, FCO Miss Elliott CRE1 Miss Welch CRE2 Mr Hagestadt CRE3 Miss Lowne CT Mr Pownall

CT

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and

LA

23. M

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