§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Trade when he expects to start discussions in the EEC Council of Ministers on the position of Hong Kong in relation to the European Community's scheme of generalised preferences.
§ Mr. DeakinsI would draw the hon. Member's attention to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in the Council of Ministers on 4th June. In describing our objectives for the improvement of the European Community's scheme of generalised preferences he said that
… we need substantial improvements in the position of Hong Kong, where at present the United Kingdom has to discriminate against one of its own territories.We shall be reverting to the subject in future discussions in the council.