TNAG-0388-FCO40-434-Exports-of-knitwear-from-Hong-Kong-to-the-UK-1973 — Page 35

IMMEDIATE

CYPHER CAT A

CONFIDENTIAL

KRIVI R OGETTYN 51

FM FCO 051755Z

CONFIDENTIAL

NXK6/548/

i

[MTC]

(خ)

PA.

2

FRAME

•

1973

TO IMMEDIATE UKREP BRUSSELS TELNO 3 OF 5 JANUARY/INFO GOV HONG KONG. 12 YOUR TELEGRAMS NO 2715 AND 14: RESTRAINTS ON KNITTED GOODS.

1. WE DO NOT AGREE WITH ERNST THAT THERE IS A REQUIREMENT FOR US TO

ENTER FIGURES BY 8 JANUARY AND THEREBY EFFECTIVELY TO PUT A DEFINITE

RESTRAINT ON IMPORTS OF KNITTED GOODS.

2. WE WILL NOT BE PROVIDING THE COMMISSION WITH ANY FIGURES TO BE

ADDED TO THOSE PROPOSED FOR LOVEN COTTONS. WE SHOULD PREFER KOT TO

SEND A NOTE TO THE COMMISSION BEFORE 8 JANUARY, BUT TO USE THE

OPPORTUNITY OF THE MEETING ON 11 JANUARY TO EXPLAIN THAT IN THE

ABSENCE OF A TRUE NEED FOR QUOTA PROTECTION FOR OUR KNITTING

INDUSTRY THESE GOODS WILL CONTINUE TO ENTER THE UK MARKET FREELY. WÉ

WOULD IN ANY CASE BE RELUCTANT TO IMPOSE NEW RESTRICTIONS ON A

SINGLE FIBRE BASIS FOR KNITTED GOODS.

DOVOLAS HOME

EUROPEAN ECONOMIC DISTRIBUTION

TRD

SID ERICD

CONFIDENTIAL

ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTION FRAME

COPIES TO:

MISS LOWNE, CTD, DTI

MILLBANK TOWER, SW1

!

HONG KONG GOVT. OFFICE, GRAFTON STREET, LONDON, W.1