TNAG-1054-FCO40-1304-Trade-relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-the-UK-1981 — Page 128

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Foreign and Commonwealth Office London SW1A 2AH

D M March Esq OBE

British Trade Commission

HONG KONG

Telephone 01-

233 3184

AKK

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REVEN AN ALOISTRY NO. 51

APRI9S1

HCER

Dean Deuch

INDEX

ملل

PA

REGISTRY Action Taken

quie

Your reference

jur reference

Date

22 April 1981

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS

1.

13A

Thank you for your letter of 9 April about the vexed problem on exports of consumer electronics to the UK. You will by now have seen by Telegram No BTC 20 of 11 April on this subject.

2. We and Peter Wise at the Hong Kong Government Office, have made it very clear to the DOI, why pressure for a VRA would not only be futile but would also damage our political and trading relations with Hong Kong. I attach, for your personal information, a copy of the letter Mr Blaker sent to Mr Baker at the DOI and a copy of Mr Baker's reply. I understand that the final briefing on this subject for Mr Baker's visit to Hong Kong focussed on the much more acceptable theme of cooperation to avoid leakage from third countries, with VRAS not to be mentioned.

3.

As far as the meeting on 19 March between DOT Ministers and the Consumer Electronics Sector Working Group is concerned, CRE4 were not represented as the meeting was originally intended only to discuss Thailand. Griffiths was not expected to raise Hong Kong and, therefore, Mr Parkinson was not briefed on the subject. I understand that CRE4 are going to recommend that there is no need for DOT Ministers to duplicate Mr Baker's efforts by formally approaching the Hong Kong Government.

Juara

Dick

RD Clift

Hong Kong and General Department

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