TNAG-0392-FCO40-438-Discussions-on-textiles-and-commercial-subjects-between-offi-1973 — Page 32

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tend to put the wrong emphasis on the talks. A meeting

chaired in the FCO would inevitably tend to stress the

constitutional connection and the UK's responsibility to

promote Hong Kong's best commercial interests. Although

the latter is undoubtedly true such an approach is perhaps

more appropriate for the Governor and the Colonial Secretary.

I attach a list of the subjects which Mr Jordan has told

the Hong Kong Government Office he wishes to raise. AS

will be seen, these are almost all subjects in which the

DTI have a prime responsibility and on a practical level

DTI can provide most information. An exception is Item (e) -

Harmonisation of the UK and EEC's GSP. The Governor raised

this subject with the Secretary of State in September, the

Prime Minister has endorsed the Ministerial recommendation

that we should concentrate our effort on obtaining benefits

for Hong Kong in the 1974 review. We should not wish

Mr Jordan to think we would not be prepared to discuss this

subject but in fact there remains very little that we can

add.

4. Mr Jordan has also suggested that he might call on

Mr Royle and the PUS on 10/11 December. Mr Royle will be

pleased to see him then. Mr Youde and Sir D Watson may

like to see Mr Jordan then which should be sufficient for

Mr Jordan not to feel that senior levels in the FCO do not

wish to spare him time.

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15. In the