TNAG-0463-FCO40-528-Entitlement-of-Hong-Kong-to-EEC-Generalised-Scheme-of-Prefer-1974 — Page 45

of footwear to the 9 countries which now constitute the EEC

dropped from USZ36.7 million in 1971 to $33.4 million in

During the same period,

1972 and $30.5 million in 1973.

however, EEC imports from Spain, Yugoslavia, Pakistan,

Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore and Indonesia, among others,

increased substantially.

Employment had dropped by half

by February 1974 from the 1971 level of 13,000. Hong Kong

seems to have been the only loser.

12.

Given these adverse conditions, and taking into account

the fact that negotiations will be held in the course of

this year to consider restraints on exports of textiles

from Hong Kong to the EEC (the bulk of which are already

subject to restraint), I hope your Government can agree that:

(a) the continuation of discrimination against Hong Kong

textiles and footwear cannot be justified and should

(b)

(c)

be removed;

Hong Kong should be treated on an equal basis with

other beneficiaries as from 1st January 1975 as far as

textiles and footwear are concerned; and

any improvements to the scheme should not be at the

expense of other beneficiaries, which would be the

result if the Commission's proposals with regard to the

treatment of the so-called super-competitive suppliers

were introduced.

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