TNAG-0392-FCO40-438-Discussions-on-textiles-and-commercial-subjects-between-offi-1973 — Page 19

12

CONFIDENTIAL

(8)

PS to Mr

18712

CALL BY MR D H JORDAN

DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

RECIOSA

12 DEC 13

HKK 6/548/18

1. Mr Jordan has an appointment with Mr Royle at 3 pm on

Monday 10 December.

2.

Mr Jordan has not called on Mir Royle before and we

understand his main purpose is to make his number with the

Minister. He is, however, likely to raise the question of

Hong Kong's exclusion from the EEC's GSP for textiles and

footwear. He may also mention in broad terms the possibility

of Hong Kong officials presenting their own case in EEC

capitals.

3.

Mr Royle has indicated that he requires no briefing on

the European Economic Community Generalised Preference Scheme

but the Minister will wish to have some background to the ques-

tion of closer contact between Hong Kong and our EEC partners.

4. In respect of Community policy, Hong Kong has a legitimate

interest in trying to influence individual member states to

adopt more liberal policies. As in the context of the GATT Hong

Kong as a developing and major exporting country will have

different interests from those of the UK, herself a major

importer of the type of products Hong Kong produces. In the

broad sphere United Kingdom and Hong Kong Government policies

are usually identical. We could not, of course, authorise the

Hong Kong Government to lobby against major policy issues where

these differ from those of the United Kingdom, but this would in

CONFIDENTIAL

/any