TNAG-0845-FCO40-1055-Visits-of-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-officials-to-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 102

CONFIDENTIAL

12. It is worth noting that the Americans have recently taken the initiative of reopening their MFA textile agreement with Hong Kong, but for the purposes of seeking still more restrictive terms.

13. The Minister may be asked about the government's intentions about the future of textile restraints. DOT Ministers have been regularly questioned about this in Parliament and while reserving their position on the form of any continuing restraints have emphasised that they do see a need for orderly marketing arrangements for international trade in textiles in the 1980s.

European Integration Department (External)

18 September 1979

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CONFIDENTIAL