TNAG-1361-FCO40-1807-Hong-Kong-Hansard-reports-and-minutes-of-the-meetings-of-the-1985 — Page 106

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Mr. Allen Lee:- Based on the reply from the Secretary, has Hong

Kong Government made representation to the US Consul-General

in Hong Kong?

Secretary for Trade and Industry: - No, Sir, in regard to the

visitations which have been made recently because none of the

factories concerned have in fact made a complaint to us.

Mr. S. Cheong:- Sir, is it the usual practice that in the past

custom officials of other countries have requested Hong Kong

Government's assistance and cooperation in certain specific

investigations involving Hong Kong factories and that Hong Kong

Government has always been cooperative with such requests?

Secretary for Trade and Industry: - Yes, Sir, and indeed this applies

to the US Customs authorities as well and we have regular requests

from US Customs in Hong Kong to our Customs for investigations into

specific instances where any malpractice or possible breaches of the

law may be involved and all such requests for assistance are always

received in the most cooperative manner by our own Custom Service.

Miss Dunn:- Sir, will the Government agree that the American action,

recent action by the American, which has not been the subject of

prior consultation with the Hong Kong Government is contrary at

least in spirit to the Hong Kong/US bilateral agreement on textiles

which provides for export control being exercised by the Hong Kong

Government.