TNAG-0749-FCO40-953-Visits-of-officials-from-Hong-Kong-to-UK-1978 — Page 24

CONFIDENTIAL

Imports of non-leather footwear to the UK

The recent letter from Mr McLaren giving an assurance that' this department would help Hong Kong put its case'in the event of any restrictions (I repeate that there was no such intention at prèsent) has apparently had a surprisingly good reception. Not everyone found it useful but must confess to some surprise that the limited assurances we were able-to give were welcomed by anyone.

2. Mr Mills will be retuming to Hong Kong through London in about a month's time and I have arranged to see him again then.

J Thompson

29 September 1978

Hong Kong and General Department

Thank you. What is the rig infiance of x. I thought the EEC / Hong Kong agreement was signed? gasame that by the major agreement you mean the new diff?

think you

lőtle

23160

or Qugarull!

870

hast December the EFF and Hang

both signed the

TIFA

Kang

GATT agreement. There

also needs to be

bitateral agreement between the ties.

the precise terms of

poffiers codifying free.

ment

quotas, controls elfer. It is this bather agre That has not deen signed and without

signation farmal document it is

the

difficult for Hong Kon рабтаивает ваше

the Community

CONFI

CONFIDENTIAL

3/10

to argue

this wants

action proposed

3/

10