TNAG-2757-FCO40-3974-Hong-Kong-customs-arrangements-and-conventions-1993 — Page 46

CONFIDENTIAL

26 February 1993

Charles Garret Esq Joint Liaison Group 3rd Floor

St John's Building 33 Garden Road

HONG KONG

Ja

Dear Mr Garret

BPO/

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

9 MAR 1993

DESK OFFICER INDEX

REGISTRY

PA Action Tak:

Foreign & Commonwealth

Office

5

London SWIA 2AH

Telephone: 071-

CUSTOMS ARRANGEMENT WITH HONG KONG

1.

HM Customs and Excise (HMC&E) recently asked for our views on a draft Memorandum of Understanding prepared by HMC&E and a draft Customs Cooperative Arrangement prepared by the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department.

2.

of the two drafts we much prefer the Hong Kong draft "Customs Cooperative Arrangement" to the HMC&E "Memorandum of Understanding" and I have written to HMC&E explaining our reasons (copy attached).

3.

On the basis of advice from the Legal Counsellor and the IRO guidelines, we have taken the view that it is not necessary to consult the Chinese on the proposed arrangement. However, we thought that you should be aware of the proposal (if you are not already). If you need further information you may wish to discuss the matter with the Hong Kong Government or alternatively we can send you the relevant papers.

Yours

Sincerely

Annadele Boun.

Annadele Bouch

Hong Kong Department

CONFIDENTIAL

customs.ADM.JRB