TNAG-1844-FCO40-2619-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 13

23 MAR '69 14:1

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TRANSCRIPT A HONG KONG SELECT COMMITTEE MEETING

22 KAR 89

11

MR BOVKE VELLS:

Could I just ask, on the question of the membership of GATT as an example of the agreements which you have been able to make under the Joint Liaison Committee procedure, the agreement for Hong Kong China to be independent of China as a member of GATT, how long will that continue and can it be altered in the future?

POREIGN SECRETAKŸ:

My first

impression is that it is intended to continue through the period

But maybe Mr McLaren can offer some

I think I would need notice of that question.

of the Joint Declaration.

comani Un that.

MP McLAREN:

I think the Secretary of State is right.

Hong Kong is a

separate contracting party to the GATT, that has been agreed in the Joint Declaration, and there is no terminus to that, no reason why it should not continue at least as long as the 50 year span

covered by the Joint Declaration.

POREIGN SECRETARY:

It is intended to give an assurance of a continuation of the

status that we want and that is the object.