TNAG-0546-FCO40-641-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 195

SECRET

TOTAL COTIES

COTY No.

EIDLE)

Awalır

Called & HKN 6/548/

u. PS / 12 Gonones Roberts

и

Prime Minister

441

M But h ни masni

HKIND TRED

(XX9):

18

3

Bill Rodgers' minute to you of 5 December seeks authority to

assure the Governor of Hong Kong that the selective import controls

to be announced soon will not include Hong Kong products. My

letters of 2 and 5 December to Peter Shore expressed my deep

concern about shirts, and I feel I must urge that full weight

be given to it.

First, very briefly, the facts. Hong Kong shipped to us, in

1973 and 1974, 17.7m and 17.1m respectively. The existing quota

level in those years was approximately 27m, and they will have

shipped, during 1975, over 27m. That increase is the ground for

my concern.

During the discussion leading up to the MFA agreement the

Commission urged very strongly on Hong Kong that they should

accept a reduction in access, or ensure minimal growth within

the larger figure, to avoid putting on us heavy pressures to

impose a cut back. They insisted on their rights under the MFA,

and have made full use of them. But they were warned very clearly

of the possible consequences.

I would urge that Bill Rodgers be authorised to tell the Governor

that the only area of major concern in the context of selective

restraints which affects Hong Kong is shirts, that we attach

SECRET

;

Page 195Page 196