TNAG-2478-FCO40-3608-Trade-relations-between-Hong-Kong--the-UK-and-other-countrie-1992 — Page 76

To

Mr Melville OT4/3

CC

Mr Berg OT4/3

MAR 121/7......

Mr Crowhurst ITP3C Mr Payne ITP3B

Furryess

Pa

From

Miss JM Gray

OT2/2D

KH734

215 5273

25 March 1992

DELTA CROMPTON CABLES:

м

2613

SOUTH

Mached

OUTH AFRICAN COMPETITION IN HONG KONG

Mr Payne's minute of 23 March refers.

2 As I explained to you on the telephone, I have checked with the British Trade Commission in Hong Kong and there is no Hong Kong legislation under which Delta could make an anti- subsidy complaint. BTC questioned the point about

whether the EC's anti-subsidy legislation would extend to Hong Kong as a Crown territory. (Mr Payne has confirmed to me that it would not apply.)

3

I understand that Mr Eggar has also brought the issue to the attention of the Governor of Hong Kong. Lord Wilson has replied uttering sympathetic noises referring the papers to the Senior British Trade Commissioner in Hong Kong. The British Trade Commission see no need for a further letter to Mr Eggar but have asked if some reference could be made in the reply to the British Trade Commission having been consulted and the fact that any lobbying they do will need to be carefully focussed as there are other British companies also pursuing the contract.

Jean Gray

JEAN GRAY